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HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OP 



4^1 



BETHLEHEM 



IN 



PENNSYLVANIA, 



With Some Accotjkt of the 



Moravian Church, 





BY 



John Hill Martin, 

Of the Philadelphia Bar, 

A Member of the '•' Moravian Historical Society." 
And of the " IliatoiiCiU Society of Peuasylvania." 



PHILADELPHIA : 

(Printed /or Orrin EogeRS, 
By JOHN L. PILE, at No. 422 ^A7■alnut Street. 

1872. 

V^5. 



^'^frl '- 



\J 



Wintered according to the Act of Congress, ly 

John Hill Martin, 

In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court 

of the United States in and for the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 

in the year 1869. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Tcis work is not a full history of Bethlehem, l)ut simply an historical Sketi;h, for 
the use of the traveller. It is intended to supply .1 want which is felt by tliose people 
who desire to know something of the origin of the Town, the character of the peculiar 
people who first settled and built it, and of the dificrent Institutions they founded in it. 

No one can visit the Town without desiring to know more of it than can he derived 
from mere enquiry ; and to render such information is the object of this sketch. 

It was written entirely for amusement, but from the most authentic information 
that could be obtained b^' the Author; who became much interested in the Town, its 
people, its institutions, and its historic mementoes. 

JOHN HILL MARTIN. 

PaiLADELPDii, March ist, i86g. 



Table of Contents. 



Chatter I. 

Settlement of Bethlehem ; buUtUng of the first house ; origin of name of the town ; 
Riime account of the Moravian Church ; sketch of Count Zinzendorf and his family ; 
Anna Kitschmann, - - - - - 5 

Chapter II. 

The descendants of Zinzendorf, Louis David deSchweinits ;• the Old Indian Chapel ; 
the Unity, Doctrine and Missions of the Moravian Church ; a list of the Inhabi- 
tants of Bethlehem ; the Indian Troubles, - - - 12 

Chapter III. 

The Married People's House; the Indian AVars of 1755; Benjamin Franklin as a 
General ; his account of Bethlehem ; Penu's Walking Purchase the cause of the 
Indian Troubles; Longfellow's Burial of the Minisink, - - 19 

Chapter IV. 

The Old Mill, built in 1751, burned in 1SQ9; the Bethlehem Water Works; Revo- 
lutionary times of 177G; Washington and Bishop Ettwein; Pulaski's Banner; 
Longfellow's Poem ; Visit of Washington ; Lafayette ; Mrs. Keldesel's Account ; 
Mrs. Friday ; C(^tton ; the Fishery ; Manufacturers ; Main Road to Ohio ; the Stone 
Ridge ; Views and Scenery, - - - - 26 

Chatter V. 

The " Crown Inn ;" the Sun Hotel ; Marriages in Olden Times ; the Choirs ; Dr. .John 
Schopfs Account of his Visit ; a Sketch from the Boston Magazine of 1784 ; Extract 
from a Paper read before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, - - 36 

Chapter VI. 

The Schnitz House; the Farmer.<! in Old Times ; the Object of the Establishment of the 
Moravian Church in America ; Rochefoucault's Description of Bethlehem ; the 
Bethlehem Souvenir; Simplicity of Moravian Life in the Last Century; Music ; 
Bishop Spangenberg; The Fifty Year's Celebration, June 25, 1792; The Old 
Bridge over the Lehigh, 1792 ; Sketch from the American Gazetteer, - 4-1 

Chapter VII. 

The First Moravian Store ; Bethlehem in 1797, from Ogden's Excursion into Bethlehem 

and Nazareth In loOO ; the Ancient Insiitntions of the Brethren's Church, - 50 

Chaptek VIIL 

Description of the large Moravian Church, erected in 1S03 ; The Bethlehem Archives ; 
The Gemein Hans, or Congregation House ; The First Moravian Church in BL'thlc- 
hem ; The Old Ciiapel, or Second (.."hnrch ; Tlie Old School, or the First Moravian 
Seminary for Females ; The Official Seal of the Church of the United Brethren ; The 



CONTENTS. 



Addition to the Old School; " The Sister's House ;" The "Widows' House;" Origiii 
of the Sisters' Houses; Marriage by Lot; Lieut. Aubery's Opiuion ; Kxplnnatiou 
of the Lot ; Account of it in the Historical Collections of New Jersey ; The " Gre it 
Marriage Act" in Bethlehem, April '20th, 1757 ; Miss Mortimer's Novel of the 
ALarrying by Lot ; Married Women, and Ancient Customs ; Remarks in Stroud's 
History of Pennsylvania ; Act of Parliament of 20 George 2d, C. 44, for the Natu- 
ralization of Foreign Protestants, &c., - - - - 57 . , 

I 
Chapter IX. .;1 

The Betlilehem Alphabet; the Old Water Works; Dr. Mease's Sketch of the Mora- 
vians ; Derby's Gazetteer, 1827 ; Mrs. Royal's Account, 1829 ; Prince Masarailian 
of Neuweid's Visit, 1832 ; James N. Beck's Sketches; Gordon's Gazetteer of Penn- 
sylvania, 1832: The Centennial Celebration ; U. S. Gazatteer, 1843; Incorporation 
of the Borough, 1845 ; " God Save the Luckenbach's ;" Act of Parliament Recog- 
nizing the " Unitas Fratrum," as a Protestant Episcopal Church in 1749 ; Origin 
of the Moravians ; Some Account of the Settlement at Hope, New Jersey, from 
the Historical Collections of that State, - - - 03 

Chapteii X. 

Moravian Memories; Modern Bethlehem ; the Old Grave Yard ; Funeral Ceremonies 
of the Moravians ; Tschoop ; Tadeusknng, Anecdote of the Chief, the Figure on In- 
dian Rock, on the Wissahicon ; David Nitschmann ; Dr. Rjbert Dudley Ross ; 
Mourning Dress not Worn by the Moravians; the Passing Bell; Easter Morning 
Celebration ; Drives, Walks, and Places of Interest near Bethlehem ; Dr. Maurice 
C. Jones and the Fremdeudiener's ; Moravians in Early Times, - - 81 

Chapter XL 

The Moravian Parochial School ; the Moravian College, founded, A. D., 1807, charted 
April 3, 1863; the Bethlehem Male Boarding School ; Nisky Hill Male S.?minary ; 
the Old Barn of the Congregation Farm ; Sketch of the Bethlehem Seminary for 
Young Ladies; the Military Record of Bethlehem durinj the Rebellion, - 97 

Chapter XII. 

The Enterprise of the Moravian Church; their schools ; their Publications; the 
Text-Book ; Birth Days, and their Celebration ; the First Printing Office ; the New.s- 
papers of Betlilehem in the Past and Present; " Pennsylvania Dutch ;" "Love- 
Feasts;" the Moravian Christmas Pntz ; the " Young Men's Missionary Society," 
and Christian Association of Bethlehem, - - 110 

Chapter XIII. 

The Society for Propagation the Gospel among the Heathen ; Statistics of the Unity 
of the Brethren, January 1. 1809 ; List of the Churches and Missions in the North- 
ern Diocese of the Chnrrh of the United Brethren in America; an Old Passport ; 
Christian Frederick Port ; Sister " Polly Heckewelder ;" Rev. John Heckewelder, 
anil his Writings ; the Ilorsfield Papers ; History of Northampton County, from a 
Pamphlet; Ofhcial Seal of the Moravian Church, a Correction; Travels of the 
Marquis de Chastellu.N; in America, 1780 ; Chas. Thompson's Theory of the For- 
mation of the Wind-Gap ; Curiosities; the Old Iron Stove Plates; Indian Corn 
CJrinder; the Old Sun Dial; Old Tiles; Old Water Pipes; the First Market 
House; Old Grave Y'ard, South of the Lehigh ; Zinzendo.f's visit to Wyoming ; 
Formation of Northampton County, - - - - 127 

Chapter XIV. 

The Litany of the Moravian Church; "Barlow's Path;" Niskey Hill; Friedenshuetten ; 
the Indian House; the German Burns ; Tecuraseh ; the Indian Missionary Stations ; 
Haidte's Painting of the First Fruits ; Seheussle's Picture of Zeisberger Preaching 
to the Indians; The Lehigh, its Freshets and Fishei-ies ; A ride on the Switch- 



CONTENTS. Ill 



back; American Tea; The Old Perseverance and the Fire Apparatus of Bethle- 
hem; The Hotels; The Streets ; The Old Tannery ; Social Life; Census of 1870; 
Powder Magazine ; Height of the Lehigh Hills ; May-day ; The Masonic Societies 
of Bethlehem, - - - - 141 

Chapter XV. 
Music in Bethlehem, by Kufus A. Grider, of the Bethlehem Moravian Congregation, - 157 

Chapter XVI. 

Borough Authorities ; Lawyers and Doctors ; The choice of Bishops by Lot ; An Ac- 
count of a " Vesper" of the Moravian Historical Society ; Old Map of Bethlehem in 
the Historical Sooiety of Pennsylvania ; The Married Peoples' Houses ; Mano- 
kasy ; The Apothecary Shop; Pottery; Tobacco; Silk; Public Buildings; The 
Vineyards ; The Pennsylvania and Lehigh Zinc Co. ; South Bethlehem ; The Pa- 
per Bag Manufactury ; New Street Bridge ; Volunteer Companies ; The Lehigh 
University ; The Freshet of October 4, 1869 ; The First Public Roads ; David 
Nitschman and His Company ; The Great Minnisink Trail ; The First Post Office ; 
The Mode of Travel in the Olden Times ; The " Crown Inn " ; Stage Route, Wind 
Gap to Philadelphia, .... 174 



V 




i!S^ 






.*-"' 



c^*- 



First House, Bethlehem, built 1741. 



IIISTORU'AL SKETCH 

OF 

BETHLEHEM, 

Pennsylvan ia, 

WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MORAVIAX 

CHuncn. 
— ♦tXl*— 

A quiet town, embnwered by patriarch trees. 
Around wliich sleeps an atmosi'liere, ba sweet 
As airs of Paradise : wliere tiny feet 
Tinlcle. at twilight, on a balmier breeze. 
Than ever blew from Ceylon's ppicy seas — 
And where throughout the long and languid daj's 
Poised on the Sycamore's silver-rinded sprays, 
The Oriole swings his nest, and flntes his p:Ii es. 
Far statelier spots may beam beneath the sun, 
But none so bland in beauty — none so bright 
With Eden's own Asphodel, that, exhaling liglit, 
Blooms in her paths, while, like a kneeling nun 
Hearing High Mass, she looks with revcri'nt c'yes. 
Through clasping greenery, on smiling ^kii s 1 
— Henrt B. Hirst. 

CHAPTER I. 
Settlement op Bethlehem. — Building of 
THE First House. — Origin op Name op 
the Town. — Some Account op the Mora- 
vian Church. — Sketch op Count Zixzex- 

DORP AND HIS FaMILY. ANNA NlTSCHMANN. 

tETHLEHEM, Northampton Counfy, 
''-'^Pennsylvania, is situated on the south- 
ern side of a declivity rising from the nnrtli- 
crn bank of the Lehigh River, twelve miles 



from its mouth at Easton, on the river Dela- 
ware, and fifty-two miles from, and connect- 
ing with the city of Philadelphia by tha 
North Pennsylvania Railroad; which forms 
a junction with the Lehigh Valley Railroad 
at that point; thus placing Bethlehem witliiu 
two hours ride by railroad of Philadelphia, 
and three hours from Harrisburg and New 
York. 

Bethlehem was settled in 1741 by Moravians 
from Germany. It is a place of great resort 
in the summer season for the inhabitants of 
Philadelphia and New York, and is chiefly 
celebrated for its dry and salubrious climate. 
It is particularly adapted as a place of resi- 
dence for invalids, especially for those suffer- 
ing from weakness of the lungs, being at the 
soutliern end of an extensive plain called 
the " Dry lands," and sheltered on the west 
and north by the Blue Ridge Mountains, 
twenty miles distant. It is famous for its 
schools, its beautiful walks and drives, and 
the open-hearted hospitality of its Anglo- 
German population, numbering at this time, 
about 7.000. 

To the better understanding of the appear- 
ance of the town of Bethlehem, and the cus- 
toms of thepeoi>le, it willbe necessary to give 
a short sketch of the rise and progress of the 
Moravian Society. 



6 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



lu the early part of the year 1741, a small 
party of German Moravians, seventeen in 
number, under the leadership of Peter Boch- 
ler, left Ephrata now Nazareth, in Northamp- 
ton County, Pennsj:lvania, and settled at that 
point on the Lehigh or LccJia river, (as it was 
named by the Indians) where a small creek 
called the Manockasy empties into that 
stream. This place is now called Betule- 
HEM, the Society having purchased there 
4100 acres of land for the purpose of forming a 
Eetllement. 

The first house, with a stable attached, 
was erected that year, and within its walls 
■were assembled on Christmas Eve, 1741, 
the pious inhabitants of the little settle- 
ment, (added to whom were Count Kicholas 
Louis Von Zinzendorf and his daughter Be- 
nigna, who had just arrived in this country 
from Germany,'* for the purpose of celebrating 
the coming anniversary of the birth-day of 
o\ir Saviour, and from the coincidence that 
the celebration was partly performed in the 
Btable, the name of Bethlehem was given to 
the infant town ; the proposed name had been 
Bethlechem,or the" Jionn^ii2:)on the Lcclta," hut 
in commemoration of this eventful evening 
it was changed to Bethlehem. 

The following interesting sketch concern- 
ing the settlement of Bethlehem, was written 
by John Martin Mack, a Moravian Mission- 
ary to the American Indians. He was born 
in 1715 anddiedinl7S4. "On the 13th of April, 
1740, we concluded to break up our settlement 
in Georgia, on account of the war, as we had 
no religious liberty, and remove to Pennsyl- 
vania, where we arrived the same month, 
and were engaged as mechanics and day-la- 
bourers by Mr. Whitefield at Nazareth, in 
order to build a house for him at that place, 
as he had purchased the land for converted 
people in England. We had a pleasant house- 
hold, every one laid hold where they could, 
and the Lord was with us. 

"luDec. 1740, Bishop David Nitschman Fa- 
ther Nitschman, and his daughter Anna, Sis- 
ter, Mother, and Charles Friihlich arrived 
from Europe with a commission to locate a 
settlement for the Brethren, and they did so 
in 1741. The ground whereon Bethlehem 



stands was j^urchased, and in the spring / 
aGBi'etcd in crttt'ntg down thejirst tree and founding 
the jilace. In the fall of the same year came 
the blessed follower (Zinzendorf), several 
days before Christmas. He came to our new 
built place ere it had a name; itsohappcned 
that we celebrated Christmas Eve in memo- 
ry of the birth of our dear Saviour, and as 
there was only a wall between our dwelling 
and our cow and horse stable — so the StUgc 
JVuHjer went into the stable in the tenth hour 
with us, and sang with feeling, so that our 
hearts were melted. 

' Nicht aus Jerusalem, sonderu Betblehem 
Aus dem Eomt was mir fromct.' 

And thus the place received the name of 
Bethlehem. The impression which it made 
upon my heart will remain to niy latest 
hour." 

Geo. Whitefield purchased 5,000 acres of 
land A. D. 1740, in Upper Nazareth Town- 
ship, which he transferred to the Brethren 
in 1743. This domain was known as the 
' Barony of Nazareth,' and was nominally 
the property of the Countess Zinzendorf; it 
had the right of Court Baron, and was the 
only manor sold by the Penns with the priv- 
ilege, and it was and is yet held on condi- 
tion of rendering service to them and their 
heirs, of a lied Jiose in June of each year. 

The first house was a large log house, such 
as are common in the wilds of Pennsylva- 
nia, even in these days. It was intended as a 
temporary residence for the settlers, until a 
more substantial building could be erected. 
It stood upon the site of the present stables 
of the " Eagle Hotel." Numeroils drawings 
of it have been made, in which it is represen- 
ted as a one-story log house with attic rooms 
or garrets, having two doors and two windows 
in the front of the house, and two windows in 
each gable end of the first story, and two ir- 
regular windows in the gable ends of the 
garrets. When the house was torn down 
some of the wood was preserved, from which 
canes, rules, and pen-holders have been made, 
and are highly prized. 

The existence of the religious society of 
the Moravians, or the church of the United 
Brethren, the ancient " Vniiaa Fratrnm," is 



KETIILEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



nowa matter of histor)'. They are the oldest 
known Apostolic and Protestant church, 
coming from Bohemia and Moravia; its Bish- 
ops justly claiming Apostolic succession, au- 
thoritatively recognized hy the Established 
Church of England, and by the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in the t'nited States. 

To sketch briefly a history of the rise of 
the United Brethren, it will be necessary to 
begin in the year 117G, when the Waldenses, 
a religious and primitive people, first made 
their appearance in Bohemia, and settled on 
the borders of the Eger, where they soon 
united in friendly and religious communion 
with the Bohemians and Moravians. The 
early history of these persecuted people is 
involved in much obscurity, although their 
origin is dated from the eighth century, and 
sometimes earlier; they inhabited the valley 
of Peidmont and took their name from a cel- 
ebrated leader of their sect, Peter "Waldo. 

They were undoubtedly, however, the ear- 
liest advocates of Christian Truth, and suf- 
fered the most terrible persecutions; their 
descendants are still found in Peidmont, 
Switzerland and France. They traced their 
Episcopal ordination to the Apostles, and on 
B5ttling in Bohemia, finding their doctrines 
and practices assimilating with those of that 
country, they finally became united into one 
church. 

From these united people, sprung the Bo- 
hemian John IIuss, who about the year 1400, 
brought the doctrines of his people before the 
world ; and in consequence sufliered the per- 
secutions of the Church of Rome, and was 
finally burnt at the stakeas a Heretic, on the 
6th of July, 1415. Then followed the great 
Hussite war. 

Finally, after many persecutions and secret 
worshipping in caves, George Podiebrad, of 
Bohemia, about the year 145fi, permitted the 
Bohemians and Moravians to form themselves 
into an association, (the " I'nitas Fratrtim,") 
and to settle in the principality of Litiz. 

In the year 1467, a deputation of seventy 
of the most respectable members of the Mo- 
ravian brethren mot at Labota. Nine of 
these were chosen, from whom three were 
selected by lot, to be the sjnritual advisers 



of the peoj^le; those eliosen were Mathias of 
Kunewold, Thomas Pizelaucius and Elias 
Krenovins, and as it was necessary these 
Presbyters should properly administer the 
rites of Ordination, they decided on seeking 
Episcopal ordination from some pure source 
accordingly, some time after, the Brethren 
resolved on sending three of their priests to 
the Waldenses, (who still had their churches 
and bishops in Austria,"* to receive their sa- 
cred ordination, one of whom was Michael 
Bradacius, who was with two others, ordained 
by Stephen, one of the last remaining "Wal- 
densian bishops, who, within a year thereaf- 
ter, was burned at the stake, and his follow- 
ers fugitives. 

About the same time the persecutions of 
the Brethren began anew, and they struggled 
on long weary years against civil and ecclesi- 
astical power, tmtil at last a patron and a 
protector was raised up for them, under 
whose influence, bravery and goodness, the 
society has become great and prosperous in 
this country and in Europe; where they have 
built many pleasant towns, from which they 
send out numerous missionaries, who go 
about the world doing good to all mankind. 

Nicholas Louis, Count von Zinzendorf, to 
whose protection, fraternal friendship and 
pious exertions the Moravians owe so much, 
and which they repay so fully by cherishing 
and keeping ever green his memory amongst 
them, was born in the city of Dresden, on 
the 26th of May, 1700. His father was min- 
ister of State to the king of Saxony, and a 
nobleman much esteemed, he married the 
Countess Eeuss Von Ebeisdorf, by whom he 
had this one son, and died soon after. His 
widow then retired to the residence of her 
mother (at Hennersdorf, in upper Lusatia, 
Saxony,) Henrietta, Baroness de Gersdorf, a 
learned and pious lady, who devoted herself 
to the education of her grandson. "When quite 
young he was sent to the University of Halle, 
then under the direction of of its founder, 
Francke; and afterwards in 1716, he went 
to the University of Wittenburg, to complete 
his studies. He left there in 1719, resolved 
to embrace the Ecclesiastical profession, and 
traveled throughout Northern Eurojie, inclu- 



niSTOUICAL SKETCH OF 



<ling France and Ilollantl ; having spent 
most of his time during hisjourney, with the 
most eminent theologians of the conntries 
through whicli he passed. lie wrote and pub- 
l.shed his travels under the tiUe of " The 
Pilgrimage of Atticus through the World." 

On returning from his travels, The Count 
jiurchased the manor and estates of Berthels- 
dorf. About this time the .soeiety of the United 
Brethren in Moravia were again being much 
j^ersecuted for the practice of their religious 
belief. Zinzendorf becoming acquainted with 
the fact, extended to them through Christian 
David, an invitation to come and settle on 
liis estates ; and in acceptance thereof, there 
arrived on thelTth of June, 1722, alittleeora" 
pany of ten persons, who immediately com- 
menced to erect a house for their own accom- 
modation, upon tlie estate of the Count. Such 
was the beginning of " Heruhut,'' meaning, 
"■ The protection of the Lord." The number 
of settlers soon increased, and within five 
years the town had a population of 500 souls. 
Zinzendorf took great interest in the infant 
settlement; and assisted by a Lutheran min- 
ister, Rothe, instructed the settlers and edu- 
cated their children. He conceived the idea 
of founding a religious community, embrac- 
ing the doctrines of the martyred IIuss, 
which was soon accomplished; and it is from 
this time that the Moravians date the renew- 
al of the church of the United Brethren. 

John IIuss, the great reformer, was born 
in the village of Hussiuitz, in Bohemia, in 
the year 1373, and is regarded by the Mo- 
ravians as the founder of their faith. As 
early as the year 1500, the United Brethren 
had over 200 churches in Bohemia ; tliey Iiad 
published their confession of faith, tlieir edi- 
tions of tlie Bible, their hymn book and 
catechism. Luther, with great justice, styled 
them " The reformers before the Reforma- 
tion." It was the descendants of these Unit- 
ed Brethren, the remnants of that once large 
religious community, to whom Zinzendorf 
gave an asylum at Hernhut ; and convinced 
that their doctrines were of the true faith, he 
became a member of their church, passed 
his examination as a theological candidate at 
Stralsund, and preached there his first ser- 



mon. He was subsequently consecrated a 
bishop of the Moravian Church at Berlin ; 
and in 1732 he was married to the Countess 
Erdmuth Dorothea Von Reuss : by the mar- 
riage contract he transferred to lier nil hi.s 
proi)erty, and they entered into a mutual 
covenant, that they would both be ready at 
a moment's warning, to enter upon the task 
of converting the heathen. The Brethren 
soon began to establish foreign missions, and 
their churches are now found in nearly all 
parts of the known world ; the conversion of 
the heathen to the true faith, being one of 
the first objects of the society. It ma}- be 
stated, that the belief, and the forms and cer- 
emonies of the Moravian Church, assimilate 
to those of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
of which they claim to be the oldest known 
member, saying that they are a branch of the 
Greek Church, and have preserved the Epis- 
copal succession, Crantz, the great Mora- 
vian historian, has written fully on all these 
points, and his work is one of great interest. 
It is said to have been Zinzendorf's wish that 
the Moravians should adopt the liturgy of 
the Episcopal Church, instead of the one now 
in use; but he found himself so violently 
ojiposed by his Brethren, that he abandoned 
the idea. 

In the year 1737, Zinzendorf visited Eng- 
land, in order to confer with Doctor Potter, 
the Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning 
Moravian aflfairs, and the Episcopal ordina- 
tion. It was there that he met General Ogle- 
thorpe, and other gentlemen interested in 
the settlement of Georgia ; they solicited the 
Count to send missionaries to that colony ; he 
objected on the ground that his Brethren 
were not acknowledged as duly ordained by 
tlie Established Church. The Arch-Bishop 
was consulted, and replied: "That the Mo- 
ravian Brethren were an Apostolic and Epis- 
copal Church, not sustaining any doctrines 
repugnant to the thirty-nine articles of the 
Church of England ; that they could not 
therefore with propriety, nor ought they lobe 
hindered from preaehing the gospel among 
the heathen." He also said : " That no En- 
glishman who had any notion of Ecclesiasti- 
cal history, could doubt their Apostolic sue- 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



cession." The bench of Bishops in England 
in the year 1749, agreed that these Brethren 
(referring to the present Moravian Church — 
then known by the nameof the"Unitir3 Fra- 
trurn at llernliut") were an Episcopal Ch ;ireh, 
and an act of parliament was passed June 
6, 1749, which granted and secured to 
them certain solicited privileges. Copies of 
the act were printed in English, Latin, 
French and German, and distributed among 
the Brethren; one of the original printed 
copies in English, is now in possession of B. 
E. Lehman, of Bethlehem, Pa. 

In the list of Bishops of the Unity of the 
Bohemian and Moravian Brethren, commen- 
cing with Michael Bradacius, consecrated in 
1407, by Stephen, Bishop of the Waldenses ; 
and ending in 1044, we find fifty-five names, 
adding to these the Bishops of the Unity in 
Poland, taken from Jablonsky's letter to 
Arch-bishop Wake, in 1717, down to David 
Nitschmau, (consecrated in 1735, by Jablons- 
ky, at Berlin,) the first Bishop of the renew- 
ed Moravian Church, we have sixty-seven 
Bishops; and from that time till the ordina- 
tion of Samuel Reinke in 1858, no less than 
eighty-nine more bishops were added to the 
list. Making the entire number of Bishops 
of the Moravian Church to that time, one 
hundred and sixty-six. .Some writers in- 
crease the number, but Crantz makes David 
Nitschman the sixty-seventh Bishop, and he 
has been followed as the best authority. 

The Rev. Edward De Schweinitz, in the 
Moravian Manual, gives a list of the Bishops 
of the church, constituting the Episcopal suc- 
cession of the Viiitaa Fratrum. In the Anxikst 
Church from 1407 to 1734, he makes the num- 
ber of Bishops to be 70. Since then, up to 
1800, he gives 97 Bishops of the 



Renewed Chcrch. 



No. 



Conscci'atioD. 



Biahops. 



71 1735 Divid Nit^chm.in. 

72 1737 Lewis C)untde Zinzendorfl 

73 1740 Pol.vcarp Mueller. 

74 1741 John Nitgcluiiiin, sen. 

75 1743 Freilerick Biiron Do 'WutteTille, 
70 1744 Miirlfn Dobor. 

77 1745 Augustus G. Spangenberg. 



79 


" 


60 


" 


81 


" 


83 


1747 


S3 


'• 


84 


" 


85 


1748 


86 


" 


87 


1760 


88 


1751 


89 


1754 


no 


1756 


91 


1758 


92 


" 


93 


1770 


94 


1773 


95 


1775 


96 


" 


97 


" 


98 


1782 


99 


" 


100 


" 


101 


1783 


102 


1784 


103 


1785 


104 


1786 


105 


1789 


106 


" 


107 


ti 


108 


u 


109 


1790 


110 


" 


111 


1801 


112 


" 


113 


" 


114 


" 


115 


1802 


116 


1808 


117 


" 


118 


ISll 


119 


1814 


120 


" 


121 


» 


122 


" 


123 


1815 


124 


1818 


125 


" 


126 


" 


127 


1822 


123 


1825 


123 


u 


130 


" 


131 


" 


132 


1827 


133 


1835 



Davitl Nitscliuian, jim. 
Frederick: W. N«isser. 
Christian F. Steinhofer, 
J. F. Caraerhof. 
Juhu Barou do Watteville. 
Leonard Duber. 
A. A. Vierotli. 
Frederick Martin. 
Peter Bochler. 
George Waiblinger. 
Matthew Hehl. 
John Giimbold. 
Andrew Grasman. 
Juhn Nitschman. 
Nathaniel Seidel. 
Martin Mack. 
Martin Graf, 
Juhn F. Reichel. 
Paul E. Layritz. 
P. II. Molther. 
Uenry de Brueningk. 
George Clemens. 
Jeremiah Risler. 
George Tranecktjr. 
John Etwein. 
John Schaukirch. 
Benjamin G. Mueller, 
Christian Gregor. 
Samuel Liebisch. 
C. Dnvernoy. 
Benjamin Rothe. 
John A. Uuebuer. 
John D. Kuehler. 
Thomas Moore. 
Christian Dober. 
Samuel T. Benade. 
Gotthold Reichid. 
George H. Loskiel. 
John G. Cunow, 
Herman Richter. 
John Herbat. 
William Fabriclus. 
Charles G. Iluefftd. 
Charles A. Baumister. 
Juhn Baptiste de Albertini. 
Jacob Van Tleck. 
George M. Schneider. 
F. W. Foster. 
Benjamin Reichel. 
Andrew Benade. 
John Wied. 
Lewis Fabricius. 
Peter F. Curie. 
Juhn Holmes. 
Juhn D. Anders. 
Frederick L. Koelbing, 



10 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



13i 


1S35 


JoUii C. Bechler. 


135 


1S36 


C. A. Polilman. 


136 


" 


II. L. Ualbc'tk. 


137 


" 


Jacob Lt'Viu Reichel. 


138 


" 


Ilanicl F. Gamtia. 


139 


" 


William Ilcnrj' Van VIeck 


140 


" 


John King Martyn. 


141 


'■ 


John Ellis. 


142 


1S43 


John M. Nitschman. 


143 


<• 


C. C. Ultsch. 


144 


" 


John Stengaeril. 


145 


1844 


William Wisdom Eases. 


146 


1845 


Peter Wolle. 


147 


1S46 


JohnG. Herman. 


14S 


•' 


Benjamin Seifforth. 


149 


1848 


C. W. Matthiesen. 


150 


1852 


F. Joachim Nielsen. 


151 


it 


John Rogers. 



152 1853 John C. Breutel. 

153 " Henry T. Dober. 

154 " George Wall Westerby. 

155 1854 John Christian Jacobaon. 

156 1857 Godfrey Andrew Cvmow. 

157 " William Eihvards. 

158 " Charles William Jahn. 

159 " Henry Rudolph WuUschlaegcl. 

160 1858 Samuel Ecinke. 

161 1860 Geo. Fred'k Bahnson. 
163 1802 Ernest F. Reichel. 
163 " E. W. Croeger. 

104 1SC3 James La'.Tobe. 

165 1S64 Henry A. Shultz. 

106 " David Bigk-r. 

1C7 1806 G.T. Tietzen. 

Since 1860 there has Vjeen no new Bishops 
appointed in tlie church. 

In March IT-'.O, Count Zinzemlorf was ban- 
ished from Saxony, under the pretext of his 
disseminating false doctrines on religion, 
and having given protection to the commu- 
nity at Ilernhut, against whom there were 
many like comjdaints. Driven from his 
home, he visited England and the missions 
of the Society in America, during which 
time he visited Bethlehem, and was present 
at the ever memorable celebration at that 
place on Christmas Eve, 1741. In 1743, he 
returned to Europe, and in 1747 obtained 
permission from the King of Sa.xony to return 
to Ilernhut. During his absence the govern- 
ment had sent a commission to investigate 
charges against thecommuuity of the Breth- 



ren, but their report proving favorable to 
the usages, social forms and religious prac- 
tices of the people there, they were not dis- 
turbed. In 1756 the Countess Von Zinzen- 
dorf died, and the Count, in about a year 
after her death married Anna Nitschman, 
who had accompanied him and his daughter 
in their travels in America. The Count and 
his wife both died in 17()0, within twelve 
days of each other; and were buried side by 
side in the cemetery at Ilutberg. 

Anna Nitschman was a daughter of " Old 
father Nitschman," one of the original emi- 
grants from Moravia, who died at Bethle- 
hem, and is interred in the cemetery there. 
She was a very remarkable woman, and at- 
tracted as much attention and respect from 
those who were acquainted with her, as did 
the celebrated Zinzendorf. At the early age 
of fifteen she was an Eldress of the Sisters at 
Ilernhut, and became quite eminent in the 
performance of ministerial duties. It was 
not uncommon at that time for women to 
speak and pray in unofficial life. 

Many of the hymns used by the Moravi- 
ans in their religious services were composed 
by Zinzendorf, and he has so completely 
identified himself with their Society, that it 
has become impossible to make even a brief 
sketch of it, such as this, withouta continual 
reference to him, and in a great measure, 
giving a history of his life. 

The Count's eldest daughter, the Countess 
Henrietta Benigna Justina de Zinzendorf, 
who accompanied her father during his visit 
to America, was married in 1747, to Johan- 
nes Baron de Watteville, a Bishop of the Mo» 
ravian Church. The Count had twelve chil- 
dren by his first marriage, six sons, and six 
daughters. 

The Countess Erdmuth took as much in- 
terest as her husband in the little communi- 
ty at Hernhut, and during his banishment 
she was the chief counsel and recourse of the 
Society there. " The family of Zinzendorf 
appears to have been of very remote antiqui- 
ty in the Duchy of Austria. As early as the 
eleventh century, it was numbered among the 
twelve noble houses, which were the chief 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



11 



support of tlie Austrian dynasty. From its 
founder Elirenhold, to his descendant, the 
subject of this sketch, were reckoned twenty- 
two generations. The dignity of Count of 
the Holy Roman Empire was conferred on it 
by the Emperor Leopold in the year 16G2. 
The first member of the family who embrac- 
ed the doctrines of the Reformation, was 
John, the second of the name who died in 
1552. Of his descendants, several families re- 
mained in the Austrian dominions, and were 
distinguished by their adherence to the Pro- 
testant faith, not less than by their civil and 
military services. It is a remarkable fact, 
that Luke Bakeneister, Doctor and Professor 
of Theology, who in the reign of the Empe- 
ror Rudolph II, held a visitation of the 
Churches in Austria adhering to the Augsberg 
Confession, found four flourishing Protestant 
congregations, duly provided with Pastors 
established on the estates of Zinzendorf fam- 
ily at Lung, Charlsutten, Pottendorf and 
Orth, near Karkfeld. The grandfather of 



the Count, Maximilian Erasmus, emigrated 
from his native land and settled at Oberberg 
near Nuremberg, esteeming thelossofall his 
estates more than counterbalanced by the 
superior liberty of conscience which he thus 
obtained. His son George Lewis, the father 
of the Count, having moved to Dresden, en- 
tered into the service of the elector of Saxo- 
ny, and died as stated in the narrative, in 
the year 1700. The head-ship of the family 
which fell to the Count in 1756, on the de- 
cease of his elder brother, he ceded with all 
his rights and immunities to his nephew, as 
soon as the necessary forms could be gone 
through. 

The motto of the house of Zinzendorf, de- 
rived from Count Albert the Prime Minister 
of the Emperor Leopold, was : " I yield to no 
one, not even to the whole world." See a 
note to a poem by Count Zinzendorf, on his 
brother Frederick Christian's second mar- 
riage, German Poems No. 63, page 176, in 
which he makes a striking allusion to this 
motto. 



12 



II I S T n I C A L SKETCH OF 




THE OLD INDIAN CHAPEL, 

EETHLKHEM, PA., 17fl5. 



CHAPTER II. 

The Descendants op Zinzesdorf, Louis 
David de Schweinitz. — The Old Indian 
Chapel. — The Unity, Docthine and Mis- 
sions OP THE Moravian Church. — A List 
OF THE Inhabitants of Bethlehem. — The 
Indian Troubles. 

gnSijOTJiiT ZiNZENDOP.Fleft behind hira three 
r\£^ (laughters, the only survivors of a family 
of twelve children, (six sons and as many 
daughters,) most of whom departed in in- 
fancy. The eldest, Henrietta Benigna Jus- 
tiua, became the consort of Baron John de 
Watteville ; the second, Maria Agnes, of 
Maurice Count Dohna; the third, Elizabeth, 
of Barou Frederick de "Watteville. By the 
two alliances last mentioned, the Count has 
no surviving descendant; the only son of 
Count Dohna, Henry Lewis, having died 
without issue in 1S33. 

To Baron John de Watteville, and his lady, 
were born two sons and two daughters ; the 
sons died unmarried ; the elder of the daugh- 
ters, Anna Dorothy Elizabeth, was married 
to llaus Christian Alexander von Schwein- 
itz ; the younger, Maria Justina, to Henry the 
Soth, Count Eeuss, of the house of Kostritz. 
By these marriages there are now living four 
great grand-children of Count Zinzendorf. 

Louis David De Schweinitz, Doctor of Phi- 



losophyandthe celebrated Botanist, was born 
in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Penn- 
sylvania, on the 13th of February, A. D. 1780. 
He was the eldest son of Hans Christian Al- 
exander De Schweinitz, and his wife Anna 
Dorothea Elizabeth de Watteville. His father 
was of an ancient and very distinguished 
family in Silesia, in Germany ; he came to 
this country in 1770, and filled at Bethlehem , 
the office of Superintendent of the fiscal and 
secular concerns of the Moravian Brethren 
in North America. 

On the 4th of July, 1787, Louis David De 
Schweinitz was placed at Nazareth Hall, to 
be educated, and remained there as a scholar 
eleven years. About the year 1822, he became 
the Senior Cu-Ukoi the Society, and also took 
charge of the Boanling School for young girls, 
at Bethlehem. He died February 8th, 1834, 
and his remains are interred in the old Cem- 
etery. He left a widow and four sons, name- 
ly, the Eev'd Emil A. De Schweinitz, Fiscal- 
Agent of the Moravian Church in North Car- 
olina; Eev'd Robert De Schweinitz, Presi- 
dent of the Provincial Elders' Conference of 
the Moravian Church ; Edmund De Schwein- 
itz, Minister of the Church, and President of 
the Theological College at Bethlehem ; and 
Bernard De Schweinitz, deceased, who at the 
time of his death in 1854, was Ministerof the 
Moravian Church, on Staten Island, New 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



13 



York. These, and their issue, are the only 
Hving descendants of the Count in America ; 
in Europe there are living, some four or five 
cousins of the De Schweinitz family. 

In Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, of 
June I3th,lS35, page 369, it is alleged that 
"Count Zinzendorf in a Latin speech at 
Philadelphia in 1742, formally renounced 
his title of Count, and resumed his original 
family name of Vou Thiirnstein." Be tliTs 
as it may, Zinzendorf did, certainly, during 
his .'isit to America in 1841-42, go by the 
name of S. Lewis Thurnstein, Knigiit. 
There can be no valid objection to a noble- 
man using, or travelling under, his family 
name, if he feels so disposed ; and, although 
the Count may have honestly intended 
to renounce his rank and title, he will 
always be known in history, and in the Mo- 
ravian Church, as Count Zinzendorf; and his 
eccentricities and peculiarities can in noway 
alter the fact, that in his life and actions he 
did much good in the world ; and that his 
memory is revered and fondly cherished in 
the Church, and by the descendants of the 
people among whom he lived and labored. 

On tlie monument erected to his memory 
in the famous and beautiful cemetery at ^<,w;i- 
hutj is the following : " Here rests the re- 
mains of that never-to-be-forgotten man of 
God, Nicholas Ludwig, Count and Lord of 
ZiNZENDonp and Pottendorp, who by God's 
grace and his own faithful MUtiring efforts, 
in this the 17th century, most worthily re- 
vived and re-organized ihe United Brethren. 

" He was born in Dresden, the 21stof May, 
1700, and entered into the joy of his Lord on 
the9thof May, 1760. 

" He was appointed to bring forth fruit, 
and fruit that remains." 

The Old Indian Chapel, a view of which 
illustrates this chapter, was an old log house, 
torn down in the fall of the year 1868, to 
make room for the erection of a new struc- 
ture. It stood in Market street, on the south 
side, the second house westof the Old Grave- 
yard, and was occupied by William Busch. 
It was formerly used as a Chapel for the In- 
dian Congregation at Naiu ; which was a vil- 
lage of Christian Indians, established by the 



Moravians. And in tliis old chapol, they 
were taught, and preached to in their own 
language. The village was situated about 
three miles north-westof Bethlehem, in Han- 
7or township ; and upon the removal of the 
Indians in 1765, from Nain to the Susquehan- 
na, the old chapel and a number of the houses 
erected there for their use, were moved to 
Bethlehem, and all traces of Nain soon bo- 
eanie obliterated; its site is however yet 
pointed out on the " Geisinger Farm." The 
next building to the west, owned, andat pres- 
ent occupied by Ambroise J. Erwin, is anotli- 
er of these old log houses. There is a third, 
standing at the south-west corner of Cedar 
-Vlley and Market Street. These old houses 
were objects of great interest and curiosity, 
and it is to be regretted that the Old Chapel, 
and the one beside it, had to give place to a 
more suitable modern residence. 

It is related of the Christian Indians resid- 
ing at Nain, that whenever a child was bap- 
tised in the Bethlehem Church, they always 
claimed the right to kiss the babe after the 
ceremony. So, many of the old inhabitants 
had the honor of being kissed by the Bed 
people when they were christened. The rite 
of Baptism was then invariably performed in 
the Church. 

The proper title of the Moravian Church, 
so called, is " The Unitas Fratrum," which 
was the name adopted by the Ancient Society 
of the Brethren, and is retained by the renew- 
ed Church. It includes all the provinces, and 
missions, of the Church, wherever they may 
be situated, as one confederated ecclesiasti- 
cal body. 

During Zinzendorfs lifetime, the govern- 
ment of the Church depended in a great 
measure upon him, and his two distinguish- 
ed assistants, his son-in-law, John Baron de 
Watteville, and Augustus Spaugenberg,both 
bishops of the Moravian Church. Since his 
deatli, a more positive ecclesiastical constitu- 
tion has been adopted. The Synods receiv- 
ing the supreme power; and the executive 
administrations of affairs being committed 
to an elective college of bishops and eld- 
ers, which, in 1769, took the title of "The 
Unity's Elders Conference ;" and subordinato 



14 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Boards were appointed for the superinteud- 
ance of the affairs of the American and Brit- 
ish Provinces. 

The Moravian Brethren's Unity is at pres- 
ent divided into three distinct Provinces. 
The American, comprising the Moravian 
Churches in the United States; the Conti- 
nental, including those on the Continent of 
Europe; and the British, embracing those of 
Great Britain and Ireland. 

The American province is sub-divided 
into two districts, the Northern and South- 
ern. To the latter, belong the Moravian 
Churches in North Carolina, and to the for- 
mer, all the rest of the Churches of the Breth- 
ren in America. Each district has a govern- 
ment of its own, consisting of a Synod and a 
Provincial Board. 

Formerly, there were several Church set- 
tlements in the United States, in which all 
real jiroperty was held in common by the 
Brethren; this was especially necessary in 
the infant state of the Church in this coun- 
try, when poverty, persecutions, public wars 
and civil tumults, required a union of labor 
to provide for the support of each little Soci- 
ety, as well as to enable them to perpetuate 
the customs and regulations of their relig- 
ion. This peculiar feature has however been 
abandoned, the common property has been 
Bold or divided, and the towns are now 
thrown open to all who choose to settle in 
them. The Moravian Churches are now 
without exception, ordinary churches lilie 
those of any other Protestant denomination. 

All the Congregations receive the Holy 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, :vs 
the only standard rule, both of the doctrine 
and practice of the church. And they have 
agreed that no doctrines shall be delivered 
in any assembly of the Brethren, which are 
repugnant to the Augustine or Augsburg Con- 
fession. 

One of the most laudable objects of the 
United Brethren, and their chief aim, is the 
conversion of the Heathen, by the establish- 
ment of missions in all parts of the world. 
Their first appearance on the American Con- 
tinent was in Georgia and North Carolina; 
the settlers in the latter place were not dis- 



turbed, but those who settled in Georgia 
suffered so many persecutions from their re- 
fusal to bear arms, (which was then one of 
the tenets of their faith) that most of them 
finally came to Pennsylvania; although it 
was admitted that they did much good 
among the slaves. 

The establishment of Foreign Missions by 
the Church, was begun in 1732, ten years af- 
ter the first house was built at Hernhut, and 
when the entire congregation there number- 
ed but six hundred. The first mission was 
among the negro slaves on the island of St. 
Thomas, in the West Indies. Leonard Dober, 
and David Nitschman, the first bishops of 
the renewed church, were the pioneers in the 
good work. They have founded missions in 
Greenland, Sweden, and Russia; among the 
Hottentots in Southern Africa; in Persia; in 
Australia; in Surinam; and in many other 
places. 

The pious intentions of the Moravian Breth- 
ren, seem to have had their effect upon nu- 
merous other branches of the Protestant 
Church. Many of the followers of Wickliff 
left England and joined the Society, as did 
the "Waldenses in earlier days, and as many 
otiier religious sects have done since. 

All these things have been enumerated 
here to show how old and honorable a Church 
is that of the United Brethren, and how 
praiseworthy are its objects. 

In the Pennsylvania Archives, volume 3d, 
page 70, under the date of November 29,1756, 
will be found '-a catalogue of all the men, 
women and children who, for the present, 
belong to the Bethlehem Economy." 

Bethlehem, Nov. 29th, 1756. 

I. OF THE MAnniED PEOPLE. 
Alls, fintttieb Spangeuberg Abralium IJiininger, 

I'eler liiihler. Josepll Powel. 

M;itthseus Hehl. Jnliii Chriwtoph Francke, 

Anton Lawatsch, Jiispar Payne, 

David Nit^chm!lnn, Jtobt, Ilussey, 

Abraham Iteiucke, Nic. Sangerbanaen, 

Slartin Mack, Cbrietian GottlV. Eogel, 

Ji>h. Michel Graff. (Jcorge Partscli, 

David Ileckewfelder, Peter Moidyk. 

Jbtttha'us .Schrojip, Michel Mucksch, 

Christian Henricli, Jacnb Eyerie. 

Tlinnuu Benzien. Kphraim Coulver, 

Bernh. Adam Giube, ItuJ. Christ, 
Prank Christian Lembke, Peter Brown, 

George Neuser. Jnh. Cliriolian Richter, 

John Jacob Schmlck, Gottlieb Bernt, 

John Kdwin, George Kaske, 

Jacob Rogers, Ilartman Verdries, 

George Weber, John Levering, 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



ir> 



John Bobner. 
Erust tiambold, 
Albrecht Eussmeycr, 
George OhnebLTg. 
Timothy Horseiield, 
Jnhri Bechtel, 
Philip Christian Bader, 
John Okely, 
Henry Rpck, 
Fioderik Otto, 
Mattlia?iis Otto, 
Frank Blum, 
Tobias lliite, 
Paul Djh. Bi-yzelius, 
GnoiKt? Klein, 
Wm. Th..ii,.', 
Job. Vab-ntin Haidt, 
J'hnJorde, 
Will. Dixon, 
Chrifttiiiu Stoz, 
Wni. Edmonds, 
Christian Egbert, 
Thomas Fislier, 
Daniel Knnckler, 
Carl Schulze. 
John Schmidt, 
Melrhior Schmidt, 
Bernhard Muller, 
Gottfried Koenielt, 
George Pitshmann, 
Vi'm. Werner, 
Job. Georg Goitner, 

John Stoll, 

Anton Sclimidt, 

Michel Schuall, 

David Digeon, 

Cliristiau WiToer, 

Andreas Horne, 

Sanuiei Maw. 

David Tanbeberger, sen., 

David Taaneberger, Jun., 

John Scliebosch, 

FrederikBoeckel, 

BLttthgeiis Wittke, 

John Brandmuiler, 

Cbr. Fr. Steinmann, 

Abraham Ilessler, 

Lud'vig Stoz, 

Christian Frilsche, 

Job. Jacob Ilafuer, 

Peter Scliuert, 

Cbiiatiau Anton, 

Andreas Kremser, 

Matth. Hancke , 

Phil. Transou, 

Martin Bohmer, 

Andreas Schober, 

Joh. George Jungmaun, 

J no. H. Sloellei, 

Autou Wagner, 



Ilenrich Beutel, 
Kichd. Utley, 
Peter Gotje, 
Christ. Fr. Oerter, 
Joseph Muller, 
Thomas ScliJiaf, 
Martin Luck, 
Nicol. Schiuter, 
George Scbneider, 
George Christ, 
Henry Frey, 
Joh. Nic. ^\'■einIaud, 
John Christian Wctnert, 
Martin Lieb^ch, 
Joseph MoUer, 
Adam Schneider, 
Paul Fritsche, 
Henrich Fritsche, 
Melch. Schmidt, morav., 
EUas Flex, 
Wenzel Bernhard, 
Enert Euerson, 
Joh. Henry. Segnor, 
Job. Matthew Spohn, 
Frank Steup, 
Valentin Fuhrer, 
Joli. Burstler, 
Abraham Bomper, 
Michel Haberiand, 
John Brucker, 
Samuel Isles, 
Thomas Yarrel, 
Nic. Garrison, Sen., 
Salomon Schumann, 
David BischoflF, 

Mathi. Krause, 
tJoh. Fredr. Beyer, 

Andreas Brocksch, 

Albrecbt KIoz, 

Henrich Muller, 

George Zeisberger, 

(jottfr. Schulze, 

George Gold, 

Daniel Oesterlein, 

Rudolph Strffihle, 

G. Stephan Wolson, 

Pllilip Meurer, 

Daniel Neubert, 

Michel Jab ra, 

George Nixdorff, 

Fredr. Scblegel, 

Joh. Hantsch, 

Joh. Cbr. Uoepfner, 

Henrich Biefel, 

Carl Opir, 

Wm. Graps, 

Cbristoph. Schmidt, 
Kuuaeit, 

George Schmidt. 



No. of Married People, 157. 
No. of Childrefl, 288. 

11. Widowers. 



David Xitschmann, Sen., 
Jacob Till, 
Joachim Sensemann, 
Wolfgang Michler, 
Mickel Mucke, 
Daniel Kliest, 
Jouas N'ilsou, 



Andreas Shout, 
Joh. Fr. Post, 
Matth, Weiss, 
David Richard, 

Rubel, 
John Micbler, 
Gotlieb Haberecht, 



No. of "Widowers, 14. 
No. of Cliildren, 16. 



III. M^IDOWS. 



A. Mar. D.-niuIb. 
A. Elis. Leiubach. 



Catharina Wl-Ikt, 
Sanvh Ligbton. 
Kosina Shut-in, 

No. of Widows, IT. 

No. of Children, 18. 

188 persons, 322 Children.— Total, 510. 

iWa. There are 96 children more with us, 
some Orjihans, others belonging to gome 
Brethren and Friends, who are not of the 
Bethlehem Oeconomy, and therefore their 
Names are not mentioned. 

IV. Single Men. 



Catharine Hiiber, 
Gcrtraud Bonn, 
Cathoriue Brownfield, 
Rosina Endtean, 
Ana. Mar. Lehnert, 
Elizabeth Uonuer, 



Magd. Elis. Reissin, 
Maria Hausin, 
Elizabeth Herzerin, 
Judith Schnrer, 
Regina Hantsch, 
Rosina Muuster, 



Nathaniel Seidcl, 
Gottlieb Bezold, 
David Zeisberger, 
Otto Krogstry. 
George Solle, 
Frederic Weber, 
Joseph Haberhmd, 
John Schwiesshaupt, 
Gottfried Roesler, 
Carl Friederich, 
Samuel Herr, 
George Meiser, 
Andreas Hoger, 
Gottfried Rund, 
Jacob Herr, 
George Scbindler,__ 
Cbristoph. Kioze, 
Andreas Albrecht, 
Ludwig Hubner, 
JottL'ph Lemmert, 
Gottlieb Lange, 
Cliristian Petersen, 

Adam Hossfeld 

Andreas Weber, 

Andreas Seifert, 

Christian Hoppner, 
Jonh Seiffert. 

Richd. Poppelwell, 
John Merck, 

Paul Schneider, 

Michel Odeuwuld, 

John Musch, 

Joseph Hopsch, 

Daniel Sydrich, 

Andreas Rillmann, 

Peter Drewfl, 

Paul lleunig, 

G. Wenzel Golkobsky, 

Christian Wedstadt," 

Jacob llisder, 

Joseph Boelen. 

Joh. Andr. Borheck, 

Christ, Steiiner, 

John Heur. (Jrunewald, 

Midchior Conrad, 

Abraham Uasselberg, 

Ih-nrich Schcen, 

H. Wm. Schemes. 

Christ. H. Lollier, 

Nic.Matthiesen, 

Henrich. Lindemeyer, 

Joh. H. Richling, 

Philips Meyer, 

J.ihanes Ortlicb, 

Abraham Andres, 

Jolin Stadtner, 

Jens Sherbeck, 

George Walter, 

Phil. Wesa. 

Marc. Kiefer, 

Edward Thorpe, 

Joseph Willis, 

Christ. H. Baremeyer, 

Samuel Saxon, 

P. Christian Stauber, 

Samuel Johannes, 

Peter Jurgensen, 



Carl August Ludwig, 
Andreas Ja^ncke, 
JuHt. Jansen, 
Matth. Bacher, 
Detlofif Delflfs, 
Mich, Lindstroehm, 
Anton Stiemer, 
Joseph Hubsch, 
Aug. H. Francke, 
Carl Weineke, 
Martin us, 
Henrich Zillman, 
Jens Wittenbei'g, 
Peter J. Pell, 
Jacob Schneider, 
Curtus Ziegler, 
John Thomas, 
Clau Colin, 
Samuel Lauk, 
Jacob Meyer, 
John Kuccht, 
Lucas Fus, 
Loienz Nilson, 
Job. H. Herbst, 
Jacob Ernst, 
John Klein, 
Wm. Okely, 
Wm. Edwards, 
Michel Ruch, 
John Jag, 
Jolin R »gors, 
Abraham Bless, 
Caspsr Fischer, 
JoSfph Giersch, 
John Wurtele, 
Heiir. Qerbtherger, 
Zach. Eckart, 
Jens Kolkier, 
Michel Muaster, 
Andreas Hotter, 
Fredr. Ziegler, 
Jacob Schoen, 
Benjamin Brown, 
Chrisiian Giersch, 
Uem'ich Seidel, 

Schmaling, 
Hans Jac. Schmidt, 
Ernst Mensinger, 
Casper Hellermann, 
Ellert Korts, 
Joh. Mich. Hippel, 
John Rothe, 
John B. Boenighaus, 
John MuUer, 
Michel Ruch, 
James Staal, 
Henr. Ollringshaw, 
Jacob Frus. 
John Nic. FuDck, 
Gottfr. Schwarz, 
Lorenz Bage, 
George Iluber, 
Joh. Mich. Bizin inn 
Job. G. J^tarck, 
Martin Scbenck, 
Joh. G. Green, 
Kic. H. Eberharti, 



16 



HISTOKICAL SKETCH OF 



Peter Wurbas, 
,Ini'..b Ilt'iTinanu, 
AdiiMi Knfflt-r, 
Pliil. II. Uiug, 
Matib. OiiimiL'li, 
Joh. (i. Kriegbaum, 
Jiic.ib Heidt^cker, 
Uavid Kimtz, 
Ji.lm Hirst, 
Martin Heckedorn. 
Joli. Adam Wap;cuseU, 
.1..U. (j. iJitterlich, 
J.fh. H. Merck, 
Abraham Steiuer, 
Martin Hirte, 
Franz Clir.Diemer, 
.lob. Theobald Kornman, 
Carl Jac. Dreyspring, 
Nic. Anapacli. 
Christian Schmidt, 

George Lash, 

Wic. Fleissner, 

Matlieus Kremser, 

Ji)li. Q. Masner, 

rr. ToHner, 

Ludw. Dehne, 

Marc. Kalfs, 

Cliristoph Bambey, 

Cliristoph Schmid, 

Peter Wenzzl, 

Dan. Kamm. 

tieurge Caries, 

J.-lin Kalberlati, 

Hf rman Ltesch, 

Juhn Nagi'l, 

Tliomas Ilnfinaii, 

(ieoige lliilder, 

Jacob Kap|>. 

Abraham Strauss, 

fieorge Oieplert, 

"VVm. An^;.!, 

Lmtwig Chr. Bachuff, 

Miclirl Siiut.-r, 

Hans Petersen, 
Cottliel) FoL-kel, 
Jeremias SUaaf, 



Adam Weidel, 
Dorflfer, 
Henr. Strauss, 
Stephen Nicholaus, 
Ciiristian Seidel, 
Jacob Loesh, 
(lottleb Hofmaun, 
Adam Van Erd, 
Joseph Bulitscbek, 
Balthasar Hege, 
Jacob Prising, 
Ilenr. Sproge, 
Cbr. Mattiiiesen, 
Martin Fryhube, 
Andreas Brocktsh, 
Joliaiiues Sell, ffler, 
Jnb. II. Leiizner, 
Juhu Lisher. 
Christian Pleiffer, 
Jacob Lung, 

Fr. Pfeil. 

Ehvhard Ilickedorn, 

S imuel Wutlie, 

AuiireaaGros. 

Ciiristiau Merkly, 

lleur.Feldbausen. 

Kvich lugergretsen, 

John Beiosli, 

Chiistiau Triebel, 

Melebior Munster, 

Melch. Rasp, 

Johannes Kanke, 

Andreas Bez, 

Jacob Steiuer, 

Nic. Anspach, 

Michel Kancke, 

George Baumgarten, 

John Richter, 

George Renner, 

GiHtlV. Aust, 

Adam Kramer, 

Cliristoph Kirschner, 

Stephan Meyer, 

Jac. Van der Merk, 

Joseph Muller. 



V. Single Women. 



Anna Rosina, 

Anna Ramsberg, 

}l:iiinali Sptrliach, 

Kn-iiia f^chulius. 

Juliana Ua'Uler, 

Catliariua Bender, 

Anna Antes, 

Christina Morhard, 

A. Mar. Krause, 

Margaretha V\ ernhamer, 

A. Mar Sclimuter, 

Wargaretha Seidner, 

Cathaiina SbugasUu, 

Catliariui Kochin, 

Martha, \ j^jj^.ug. 

Iheoilora, / 
A ana Burnet, 
Barbara Kiausiu, 
Henrietta I'eterman, 
Martha Mans. 
M;Mi;iua B.yerle, 
(iit tr.iiid l'..ti-rson, 
Eii/..il"-tli Bur.siler, 
Anna Vander Bilt, 
A. .Mar. Beyel-, 
Mar. Elis. Loerich, 
Ana Scha^ler, 
FeUcitas Schuster, 



(/ 



f 

W'l ' Ciithaliuii llfil, 

\ ^ ^ *• , Ciirliarnui Uutt 

IP 



Ciirliarnui Hotter, 
51ar. Itiiilciiii Eierleh, 
Jl.iriii Z. Ill, 
KlizaLieih Palmer, 

The single men 
counted iu the total 



Maria Pfingstag, 
Dlizabtth Cornwell, 

Maria, I Inclians. 
Chnstma, / 
Mar, Elis, Minier, 
Ana Merz, 
Magdalena Schmidt, 
Elizabeth Steioer, 
ffaluine Burstler, 
Cathariua Biez, 
A. Mar. SL-lienu-l, 
Johauna Burutt, 
Maria Loesb, 
Hi-gina Neumann, 
ElizaUetll liurnet, 
Maria Beroth, 
War. Barb. Hipndcl, 
Kosina Schwaiz, 
Magdalena Kederberg, 

Agnes Meyer, 
Cathar. Klingensteiu, 

Cliristina Luesh, 

Anna Bender, 

Sarah Preis, 

Cith. Elis. Neumann, 

Magd. Steiuer, 

Cathar. Gerhard, 

Johauelta Salterbach, 

Magdalena Negii), 

Ana Kebi-cr,i Lan^lv, 

Salume Duck, 

Cornelia, 

Anna Wrif^Iit. 



and single ■\^*<lnlo^ 
510, as children. 



Prepared at Request of Gov. Denny, by- 
Rev. Mr. Spangenberg; — ^see Min. I)ec. 8, 
1756, Vol. VII. p. 353. 

3Iemoraytduiit. 

1. Bethlehem makes out a certain Religious 
Society intended for the Furtherance of the 
Gospel, as well among the Heathen as Chris- 
tians. 

2. Forty-eight of the above mentioned 
Brethren and Sisters are actually employed 
for that End among the Heathen, not only 
on the Continent of America, as Pensilvania, 
New England, Barbice, Stiriname, &c., but 
also in Several Islands, as Thomas's, Crux, 
John's, Jamaica, A-c. 

3. Besides them mention'd just now, there 
are Fifty-four of them employ'd in the Pen- 
silvania, New York, New England, Jersey & 
Carolina Gevernments in preaching of the 
Gospel, keeping of Schools, & the like. 

4. Sixty-two of them are meerly emidoy'd 
in the Education of our Children at Bethle- 
hem & Nazareth as Attendants and Tutors. 

5. Fourty-five Single men & 8 Couples of 
married people, are gone to Carolina to make 
a new Settlement there, and fifty-more, who 
have come for that End from Europe, will 
go there Soon. 

6. There are Seventy-two of the above 
mentioned Brethren in Holy Orders, viz: 
Four Bishops, twelve Ordinaries (Priests,) 
and the rest Deacons; And as many Acoluthi, 
who are preparing for the Ministry in the 
Congregation, and now and then are made 
use of like Deacons. 

7. About 90 of the Children at Bethlehem 
& Nazareth have their Parents abroad, mostly 
on the Gospel's Account. 

8. 425 of those in the foregoing List are 
under Age. 

9. Not all who are named in this Catalogue 
live iu Bethlehem Township, but some in 
Sackona, Some in Liehy, and Some in ano- 
ther Township joining Bethlehem Township. 

10. There are 82 Indians besides those 
young Indian Women who live with our 
young Women, and besides the Savages who 
are going and coming and Staying longer or 
Shorter with us. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



17 



Timothy Hoksfield to Gov. Denxt, 175C. 

Bethlehem, Nott. 29, 1756. 
May it Please Your Honour, 

Sir : — According to your Commands, I 
herewith Inclose a list of the United Breth- 
ren & Sisters & Children, i-c, &c., Now re- 
siding in Bethlehem, Nazareth, &c.,<Ste., with 
proper Notes to Explain the Same, which I 
hope will be agreeable.® 

I beg leave to mention to your honour^ 
that a few Days Since as one of our Indians 
was in the Woods a small distance from Beth- 
lehem, with his grm, hopeing to meet with 
a Deer, on his return home he met with two 
men, who (as he Informs) he saluted by 
takeing off his Hat; he had not gone far be- 
fore he heard a gun fired, and the Bullet 
whistled near by him, which terrified him 
very much, and running thro* the thick 
Bushes his gun lock Catched fast, and went 
off, he dropt it, his Hat, Blanket, i'c, and 
came home much frighted. The Indians 
came to me complaining of this treatment. 
Saying they fled from Amongst the Murther- 
ing Indians, and came here to Bethlehem, 
and Adresst his Honour the Late Governor, 
and put themselves under his protection, 
which the Governor Answered to their Satis- 
faction, Deeireing them to sit Still amongst 
the Brethren, which they said they had done, 
and given offence to none. I told them I 
would do all in my Power to prevent such 
Treatment for the future, and that I would 
write to the Governor and Inform him of it, 
and that they might be Assured the Gover- 
nor would use proper measures to prevent 
any mischief hapening. I thought at first to 
write a few Advertisements to warn wicked 
people for the future how they Behave to the 
Indians, for if one or more of them should be 
kill'd in such a manner, I feer it would be of 
very bad consequence; but I have since con- 
sidered it is by no means proper for me to 
advertise, for as the Late Governor's procla- 
mation of War against the Indians I conceive 
is still in force. I thought it my Duty to 

* The remarks are recorded in Colon. Records, Dec. 
8, Vol. VII., p. 3o3, but tlie names and letter are not, 
it; is thought best to keep them together. This was 
prepared at Gov. Deuny's request. 



Inform your Honor of this Afl'air, and Doubt 
not you will take the matter into your wise 
Consideration. 

I am with all Due Eespect, 
Your Honour's most Obed't, 
Humble Servant, 

TIMO. HOESFIELD. 
To the Hon. Wm. Denny, Esquire. 



Timothy Horspield to Gov. Denxy, 1756. 
Bethlehem, Nov. 30th, 1756. 

John Holder came here this Evening from 
AUemangle, and Informed me that last Sun- 
day Evening, ye 2Sth Inst, three Indians 
Came to the House of a certain Man Named 
Schlosser, and Nockt at the Door, the People 
within called who is there? Answer was 
made, A Good Friend ; they Within not Open- 
ing the Door, they Nockt Again, they with- 
in not Opening the Door, they Nockt Again, 
they Within Answer'd Who is there ? No An- 
swer being made from Without, Then one of 
the Men Named Stouebrook,Lookt Out of the 
Window, When an Indian Discharged a gun 
and Kill'd him on the Spot. They then 
Open'd the Door, the Woman *fc 2 Children 
Endavering to Escape, and the Indiana 
pursued & took Both the Children ; One 
of the Men Fired at the Indians, and Saw 
One of them fall, when one of the Gairls he 
had possession of. Made her escape from him, 
but the other they took away ; the Indian yt 
was fired at which fell Cryed out very Much, 
but in a Short time he got up and made off. 

The above said Holder Informs me he had 
this Aeeo't from good Authority, said Schlos- 
ser's House is situated in AUemangle. 

TIMO. HOESFIELD. 



An old chronicler says that "During the 
Indian troubles in 1756 and 1757, Bethlehem 
was in great danger from the savages, every 
precaution was taken to guard against it. The 
town was surrounded by palisades, which 
were made by putting poles from 15 to 20 feet 
long, into the ground, close together and se- 
cured above by hickory withes. Watch tow- 
ers were also erected, built of logs; one of 
these was back of Louis F. Beckel's store, and 



18 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



aniitlier north of the graveyard. Bethlehem 
was then the frontier town of the white set- 
tlements. Those settlers further north and 
west, came to the town for protection, in ad- 
dition to several hundred christian Indians, 
making the number of stranger in our town 
about seven hundred, all of whom had to be 
fed and clothed. The whole malepopulation 
took turns in watching, and everything was 
conducted as if the place were besieged; 
excellent discipline was kept up by bish- 
op Spangenberg, and the ])reservation of 
the town was altogether owing to the pre- 



cautions taken. One dark night, a senti- 
nel fired at an object which refused to an- 
swer his hail, it jiroved to be an ox, but it 
was afterwards ascertained that his alarm 
had driven oll'a hostile band of Indians, who 
were aiJjjroaching ko assault the jdace. 
■ The Moravians seejned to have had some 
lingering doubts, about even taking ujj arms 
tf) defend themselves, for the sentinels were 
ordered to fire at the legs of an approaching 
oljject. They were to ^vound and capture, 
and not to kill their foes. 



B E T II L i; II E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



19 




THE MARRIED BRETHREN AND SISTERS' HOUSE, AND WATER TOWER 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER III. 
The Marhied People's House. — The Indian 
Wars of ITio. — P>enjamin Franklin as a 
General. — His Account of Bethlehem. — 
Penn's Walking Purchase the Cause of 
the Indian troubles. — Longfellow's Eu- 

KIAL OF THE MiNISlNK. 

' H E picture at the head of this chap- 
ter, is a representation of the Mar- 
ried People's House, with the Water Tower 
attached, at its west end, which once stood 
on the knoll, now the site of the present large 
Moravian Church, at the corner of Main and 
Church Streets, in Bethlehem. The drawing, 
of which the wood cut is an exact copy, was 
made by Mr. Eufus A. Grider, of Bethlehem, 
fn)m the original slictch of llr. Oerter, now 
in possession of the Moravian Historical So- 
ciety at Nazareth, Pa. 

The Married People's House, was erected 
among the first buildings in the place, 
and built of logs, as was the Water Tower 



cilso. It was constructed for the use and oc- 
cupation of the Married Brothers and Sisters, 
who were not percnitted, during the first 
days of the settlement, to reside anywhere 
else. The Ministers and their wives lived 
together in the Gemein Haus. The house 
was also called by some, "the Ancestor's 
House;" although the German words were 
used, that is the correct meaning in English. 
Yet it was more generally called " the Mar- 
ried People's House." In Bondthaler's life 
of Heekewelder, page 33, it is referred to, 
thus, " The old School House has disappeared; 
it was a log building, erected on the spot 
where the church now stands ; and this house 
and the apothecary's shop, were at that time 
the only buildings on the east side of Main 
Street. On the west side, was the " Farm," 
with its stables, and several other hous- 
es; the rest of the hill, and the whole of 
the site of the present town being covered 
with a dense forest." This was in the year 
1754. 



20 



IIIgTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Tlie Water Tower, which stood at the west 
end of the Married People's House, was the 
principal reservoir into which the water was 
forced from the celebrated spring, situated 
on Water Street, at the foot of the hiU near 
the old Mill, to give it a head for distribu- 
tion. From this tower all the lower part of 
the Tillage was supplied with water. The 
same spring still furnishes all the water dis- 
tributed in the town, by the Bethlehem Water 
Company. The Tower is said to have been 
as high as the steeple of the present church, 
but the statement is evidently erroneous, as 
can easily be seen from the copy of Mr. Oer- 
ter'a drawing, and from the fact, that the 
water works were only calculated to raise 
the water seventy feet in perpendicular 
height, when first erected, in 1764, although 
the power was afterwards increased to one 
hundred and fourteen feet; besides which, 
the spring was at the foot of the hill, on the 
banks of the Mfuokasy, at least forty feet 
below the foundation of the Tower. 

Crantz says, that Pennsylvania was very 
much desolated by the Indian War, which 
began in the year 1755. The first event 
which materially affected the Moravians, 
occurred on the evening of November 24, 1755, 
■when the savages made an attack upon the 
house and plantation of the European Breth- 
ren, on the ilahmy, near Gnadeuheutten ; 
eleven persons were killed in all, some of 
them shot and scalped, and the rest burnt. 
The buildings, cattle, furniture, implements 
and stock, were entirely destroyed. The 
Christian Indians, who lived on the other 
side the Lehigh, took flight, and most of 
them got safely to Bethlehem. 

There was formerly a large Log house, 
standing on the west side of the Manokasy, 
opposite the old Tannery, in Water Street, 
which was called the *' Indian House" It 
was built in the early days of the settlement, 
as a lodging place for the Indian visitors, 
great numbers of whom constantly visited 
the town. In 1752, six hundred and eighty 
Indians visited the place, at different times 
during the year. In 1756 and '57, the num- 
ber was much greater. Bishop Span genbere, 
in a letter to Governor Denny, says : 



'• May it please your Honour, 

These are to return your Hur, our most 
humble thanks, for the Favour of so kind a 
visit of y Hnrs at Bethlehem. As we are a 
people, more used to tlic country, then to 
cities, we hope yr Hur will excuse what may 
have been amiss. So much I can say, and 
this from the Bottom of my Heart, that yr 
Hnrs Person and Place or Station, is sacred 
unto us. We all do wish unanimously that 
yi' Hnr may prosper, and meet with a bless- 
ed success in all undertakings for the good 
of this Province. 

Mr. Horsefield having told us, that yrHnr 
wants a compleat catalogue of all men, wo- 
men and children belonging to our oeco- 
nomy ; I have ordred one to be made, and 
have added some Memorandums or observa- 
tions, whch I hope will give you a clear idea 
thereof, I recommend my Self, and all my 
Brethren, who live in this Province, again 
in yr Hnrs Protection. 

As for our circumstances, we are at a loss 
how to act with those Indians, that come out 
of the woods, and want to stay at Bethlehem. 
They are very troublesome guests, and we 
should be glad to have your Hnrs Orders 
about them. Our Houses are fvill already, 
and we must be at the Expences of building 
Winter-Houses for them, if more should 
come; which very likely will be the case, 
according to the account we have from them 
who are come. And then another diiSculty 
arises, viz., we hear that some of our neigh- 
bors are very uneasy at our receiving such 
murdering Indians ; for so they stile them. 
We tlierefore, I fear, shall be obliged to set 
watches, to keep of such o^ the Neighbours 
who might begin Quarrels with or attempt 
to hurt any of them. 

Now we are willing to do any thing that 
lays in our power, for the Service of that 
Province, where we have enjoyed sweet pease 
for several years past. But we want y Hnrs 
Orders for every step we take, and we must 
humbly beg not to be left without them ; the 
more so, as we have reason to fear, that some 
how an Indian may be hurt or killed, which 
certainly would breed new Troulilos of war. 
We had at least a case last week, that some 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



21 



one fired at an Indian of Bethlehem but a 
little way from Bethlehem in the woods. 

I hope Mr. Horsefield will give y Hur a 
particular account thereof, and so I will add 
no more. 

Yr Ilnrs 

Most humble and 

Most obedient Servant, 

SPANGENBERG. 
Eethl.,Nov. 29, 175(i." 

As the Bishop feared, so many Indians af- 
terwards took refuge at Bethlehem, that it 
became necessary to assign them a piece of 
land, where, with the Brethren's assistance, 
they built themselves huts. The settlement 
was called Nain. The first house was erected 
June 10, 1757, and on the 18th of October, 
1758, all the Indians were removed from 
Bethlehem to the town, and the " Old Indian 
Chapel" was consecrated. The war had re- 
tarded the progress of the buildings at first, 
but by the year 1760, the Indian inhabitants 
of Nain, had increased so rapidly that they 
could not all be supported there, and the 
Brethren were obliged to send a portion of 
them to a tract of land on the north side of 
the Blue Mountains, on the Wec7i.qiiatanJc, 
about thirty miles from Bethlehem, where 
they could live by hunting, and dwell to- 
gether under the direction of a missionary. 

In January, 1757, public religious services 
began to be performed at Bethlehem, in the 
Indian language, the liturgy having been 
translated into the Mohican, by Jacob 
Selimick, the missionary. Part of the Scrip- 
tures, and many hymns, were translated into 
the Delaware Indian, for the use of the chur- 
ches and schools. 

The Moravian towns were great obstacles 
to the designs of the hostile savages, in their 
warfare upon the whites, because they could 
not prevail upon the friendly Indians to 
destroy the missionary establishments, nor 
prevent them from informing the Brethren 
when any attempt was to be made upon the 
settlements by the warriors, and thus many 
schemes were frustrated. Great numbers of 
whites, also, took refuge in the different Mo- 
ravian places, being driven from their homes 
3 



by the fear of the Indians ; most of these peo- 
ple were entirely destitute. Not only Beth- 
lehem, but Nazareth, Friedensthal, Chris- 
tiansbrunn and the Rose, were asylums for 
these fugitives ; the houses of the Brethren 
were crowded, and the empty school-houses, 
mills and barns, were alloted to them for 
residences. 

The Moravians, and their Indian converts, 
were peculiarly situated about this time. 
The hostile tribes were burning and destroy- 
ing the white settlements on the Lehigh, 
while, on the other hand, the Irish inhabi- 
tants of the Kittatinuy Valley, were e.xas- 
perated at the Brethren for protecting the 
Indian refugees, and giving them an asylum; 
they also charged the Brethren with being 
in league with the French, because they 
would not take up arms, and engage in of- 
fensive warfare. TJiey abused the mission- 
aries, and threatened to kill the Indian con- 
verts, so that it was dangerous for the friendly 
Indians to leave the towns. 

In the fall of the year 1756, the Govern- 
ment sent proposals of peace to the Indians, 
and a proclamation was issued at the same 
time, that all who were peaceably inclined, 
should have a safe escort to Bethlehem, 
Col. Croghau was very desirous that the In- 
dians should be accommodated at Bethlehem, 
and the treaties held there, but the Brethren 
justly fearing that all kinds of disorders 
might take place among so many savages of 
different nations collected together, by which 
the Indian Brethren might be led astray, 
and their young people contaminated, they 
persistently refused, and induced the au- 
thorities to order that the treaty be held at 
East<jn. Accordingly, in July and August, 
1757, conferences were held with the Indians 
at EtiH-town y and a treaty made in the name 
of the Ten Nations, with Teed tj use unfj, king 
of the Delawares, and three hundred other 
Indians, most of whom belonged to the Mun- 
sys and the Delawares. 

During the time, however, that the Indiana 
were at Easton, they made many visits to 
Bethlehem, and proved very troublesome 
visitors. 



f>'7 



II I S T IV I C A L SKETCH OF 



A gentleineu of Bethlehem has an old Day- 
book, of the " Crown Inn," in which the char- 
ges against some of the Indians, and tlie cre- 
dits given them, are very amusing. 

In the Penna. Archives, 3d volume, 242, 
will he found a list of the alterations in the 
return of the Brethren, dated July 20, 17j7 ; 
hut ihoy are not of material interest; but tlie 
concluding part of the statement hasadirect 
bearing upon the events of the times ; it is 
signed by Matth. Schropp, and is as follows : 

" The Widow Benezet, since the last Tax, 
has sold her two five hundred acre Tracts of 
Land, adjoining Bethlehem, to the Brethren 
for a £1000, and has taken a Mortgage on the 
same for the whole Consideration Money, 
they paying her yearly 6 ^ cent. Interest, 
&c., as niay be seen in the Publick Records. 
This the Brethren were induced to do that 
they might have a convenient Place, near 
Bethlehem, to place the Indians upon next 
S[)ring. 

In these times of Trouble and Danger, 
hiring become the Frontier, the Brethren for 
the Defence of themselves and neighbours, 
have, under the Governor's Commission for 
that Purpose, established Military "Watches 
in all their Places, and been at a very great 
Expense in providing themselves with Arnis 
and Ammunition, and in strengthening and 
securing all their Houses and Plantations 
against any sudden Attack and Sur2:)rize from 
the Enem}'. 

In Bethlehem there are 5 Persons, namely, 
2 Married, and 3 Singlemen constant- 
ly kept as a Night Watch, and tlxereby 
rendered wholly unfit for any Labour 
in the Day Time. 

Besides the above there are 44 Single- 
men and 25 married, who have Arms, 
and are always ready by night or Day 
in case of any Alarm. 

In Nazareth there are 3 Persons who are kept 
as a constant Night Watch, Besides 
whom all the Inhabitants, mentioned 
in the return, except 7 Persons, are 
provided with Arms and Ammunition, 
and are always in Eeadiness for the 
Defence of themselves and neighbors. 



In Gnadenthal there are 2 People employed 
as a Night Watch. 

All the Inhabitants, except 5, have 
Arms and are kept in Eeadiness as 
aforesaid. 
In Christian's Bruu, there is one Singlemai^ 
kept as a Night Watch, and 18 of the 
Singlemen have Arms as aforesaid, 
and frequently go out with some of the 
Indians, who are paid for that Pur- 
pose, in ranging Parties, for several 
miles round the neighborhood and in 
the Barrens, to see that no Indians are 
lurking about, if possible to prevent 
their coming upon them by Surprize. 
In Friedensthal-Mill, They have all Arms 
and are constantly on their Guard and 
Watch by Turns. 
Besides the above, the Brethren, for the 
Summer Season, have for the most Part thir- 
teen of their Indians in Pay, whose Business 
it is with some of the white Brethren to 
range from Place to Place and be a Guard to 
their People in their Harvest and other work 
where they might otherwise be exposed to 
the Incursions of the Enemy. 

Now, considering the above and the pre- 
ent helpless and exposed condition our poor 
Country has been and still is in, it may with 
modesty and Justice be said, that it is owing, 
in great measure, to this care and prudent 
Circumspection of the Brethren, that the 
whole Fort has not long ago been over run 
by the Indians; and therefore it is presumed 
a Belaxation of Tax proportioned to the 
Trouble and great Expenee they have been 
at, cannot be contrary to the Sense of the 
Law, which expressly directs the making 
Allowances in Extraordinary Cases. 

Added to this, the extraordinary Expenee 
the Brethren are and must still be at, in 
maintaining the Indians, who fled to them 
from Gnaden-Hutten (now wholly thrown 
upon their Hands and left unprovided for by 
the Government,) for whose Subsistance 
alone, this year, they have been obliged to 
let them have upwards of 50 Acres of their 
best Land, (cleared and fenced for them at 
the Brethren's own Expenee,) to plant their 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



23 



Indian Corn, <tc. Moreover the Badness of the 
Times and almost Total Stagnation of Busi- 
ness, are Hardships, which constrain the 
Brethren to declare, that they find themselves 
utterly unable to bear the Weight of the Tax 
as they have hitherto been rated, and there- 
fore humbly beg the Hou'ble, the Commis- 
sioners and Assessors, will please to consider 
them accordingly, in laying the Tax not yet 
raised." 

Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, 
writing of the eventful occurrences of the 
Indian Wars of that period, says : 

" The Governor prevailed upon me to take 
charge of the North-western frontier, which 
was infested by the enemy, and provide for 
the defence of the inhabitants, by raising 
troops, and building a line of forts. I under- 
took this military business, although I did 
not conceive myself well qualified for it. He 
gave me a commission, with full powers, and 
a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to 
be given to whom I thought fit. I had but 
little difficulty in raising men, having soon 
560 under my command. My son, who had 
in the preceding war, been an ofl^icer in the 
army raised against Canada, was my aid-de- 
camp, and of great use to me. The Indians 
had burned Gnadenheutten, a village settled 
by the Moravians, and massacred the in- 
habitants j but the place was thought a good 
situation for one of the forts. 

'• In order to march thither, I assembled the 
companies at Bethlehem, the chief establish- 
ment of those people. I was surprised to find 
it in so good a posture of defence, the des- 
truction of Gnadenheutten, had made them 
apprehend danger. The principal buildings 
were defended by a stockade ; they had pur- 
chased a quantity of arms and ammunition 
from New York, and had even placed large 
quantities of small paving stones between 
the windows of their high stone houses, for 
their women to throw upon the heads of any 
Indians that should attempt to force into 
them. The armed Brethren, too, kept watch, 
and relieved as methodically as in any gar- 
rison town. In conversation with Bishop 
Spangeuberg, I mentioned this to my sur- 



prise, for, knowing they had obtained an 
act of Parliament, exempting them from 
military duties in the colonies, I had suppos- 
ed they were conscientiously scrupulous of 
bearing arms. He answered me, that it was 
not one of their established principles, but 
that, at the time of their obtaining the act, 
it was thought to be a principle of many of 
their people ; on this occasion, however, they, 
to their surprise, found it adopted but by a 
few. It seems they were either deceived in 
themselves, or deceived the Parliament, but 
common sense, aided by present danger, will 
sometimes be too strong for whimsical opin- 
ions. 

" It was the beginning of January, when 
we set out on this business of building forts. 

s » » The Moravians procured me five 
wagons for our tools, stores, baggage, &c. 

■» iS -s "While at Bethlehem, I enquir- 
ed a little ill to the practice of the Moravians, 
some of them had accompanied me, and all 
of them were very kind to me. I found that 
they worked for a common stock, eat at com- 
mon tables, and slept in common dormitor- 
ies, great numbers together. In the dormi- 
tories, I observed loopholes, at certain dis- 
tances, all along under the ceiling, which I 
thought judiciously placed for change of air. 
I was at their church, where I was entertain- 
ed with good music, the organ accompanied 
with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, &e. 
I understood that their sermons were not 
usiially preached to mixed congregations of 
men, women and children, as is our common 
practice, but that they assembled sometimes 
the married men, at other times their wives, 
then the young men, the young women, and 
the little children, each division by itself. 
The sermon I heard was to the latter, who 
came in and were placed in rows on benches, 
the boys under the conduct of a young man , 
their tutor, and the girls conducted by a 
young woman. The discourse seemed well 
adapted to their capacities, and was deliver- 
ed in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing 
them, as it were, to be good. 

" I enquired, concerning the Moravian 
marriages, whether the report was true, they 
were by Lot, and was told, that lots were 



24 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



used only in particular cases; that generally, 
•when a yuung man found himself disposed 
to marry, he informed the Elders of his class, 
who consulted the Elder ladies, that govern- 
ed the young women. As these Elders of 
the dillerent sexes, were well acquainted 
with tlie tempers and dispositions of their 
respective pupils, they could best judge what 
matches were suitable, and their judgments 
were generally acquiesced in, but if, for ex- 
ample, it should happen that two or three 
young women were found to be equally pro- 
per for the young man, the lot was then re- 
curred to. I objected, that if these matches 
are not made by natural choice of the par- 
ties, some of them may chance to be very 
unhappy. ' And so they may,' answered my 
informer, ' if you let the parties choose for 
themselves,' which, indeed, I could not de- 
ny." 

The Indian troubles and wars, which be- 
gan in 1755, were caused by the dissatisfac- 
tion of the Minis i and other Indian tribes, 
at the result of the " "Walking Purchase," so 
called, and the encroachments of the whites 
upon their hunting grounds north of the 
Blue Mountains. Conrad Weiser, in a letter 
to the Governor, as early as April 22d, 17-11), 
called his attention to the matter, saying : 
"The Indians are very uneasy about the 
white people settling beyond the endless 
mountains.** 

Longfellow has written one of his charac- 
teristic effusions, (which, by kind permission 
of Messrs. Fields, Osgood k Co., of Boston, 
Mass., the publishers of Mr. Longfellow's 
Poems, is inserted here entitled 

TUE BURIAL OF THE MINISINK. 

Oo Bunuy elope and beachen swell, 
The shadowed light of eveuing fell ; 
And when the maple'a leaf was brown, 
Willi soft and silent lapse came down 
The glory, that the wood receWea 
At enuset in the brazen leaves. 

Far upwards in the mellow light, 

Rose the Blue Hills, one cloud of white; 

Around a far uplifted cone ; 

In the warm blush of evening shone; 

An image of the silver lakes, 

By which tliL- ludinn soul awakes. 



But soon a funeral Hymn was heard, 
When the soft breath of evening stirred 
The tall gray forest; and a band 
Of stern in htart, and strong in liand. 
Came windiug down beside the wave, 
To lay the red chief in his grave. 

They sang that by his native bowers, 
Ele stood in the last moon of flowers; 
And thirty snows had not yet shed 
Tlieir glory on the Warrior's head, 
But as the summer fruit decays, 
So died he in those naked days. 

A dark cloak of Roebuck's skin 
Covered the Warrior, and within 
Its heavy folds the weapons made, 
For the hard toil of war were laid, 
The Cuirass woven of plaited reeds, 
And the broad belt of shells and bead«. 

Before, a ^ark hairesl virgin train, 
Chanted the death-dirge of the slain ; 
Behind the loog procession camo 
Of hoary men and chiefs of fame, 
With heavy hearts and eyes of griof, 
Leading the war horse of their chief. 

Stripped of his proud and martial dress, 
Uncurbed, unreined and riderless, 
With darting eye and nostril spread, 
And heavy and impatient tread, 
Ue came, and oft that eye so proud, 
Asked for his rider in the crowd. 

They buried the dark chief; they freed 
Beside the grave his battle steed, 
Anil swift an arrow cleaved its way 
Tu his stern heart, one piercing neigh 
Arose — and on the dead man's plain. 
The rider gratfps his steed again. 

The history of the " Walking Purchase" 
is this: — William Peuu, in lf)8G, bought of 
the Indians a tract of land, commencing on 
the line of his former purchases, and extend- 
iud northwestwardly as far as a man could 
ride on horseback in two days; this was not 
carried out until 1737; when, at a Treaty 
held with Indians by the Proprietaries, 
Thomas and John Penn, on the 25th day of 
August, of that year, at Durham, near Eas- 
lun, it was stipulated, that the purchase of 
10S6, be consummated by commencing at 
Wrights', in Bucks County, and terminating 
at a spot a man could reach in one and a- 
half day's walk. Edward Marshall, one of 
the walkers, started from Wrightstown at 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



25 



sunrise, on Septenjber 19th, 1737, and atsun- 
set, had reached the foot of the Blue Moun- 
tains, and next day at noon had reached 
Tnbihanna Creek. He walked 50 miles the 
iirst day. Although not an extraordinary 
performance, the Indians were terribly ex- 
asperated, as they had no idea of selling 
their land beyond the Endless Mountains ; 
as it was, a rectangular line, drawn from the 
terminating jjoint of the walk to the Dela- 
ware River, robbed them of nearly all the 
Minisink country, their favorite hunting 
ground. Their dissatisfaction at last ended 
in open warfare on the whites, in 1755, and 
Marsliall's entire family were among the 
first victims. 

Bethlehem is therefore within the limits 
of the Walking Purchase 

In 1763, the frontiers were again overrun 
by the Indians. The massacre of the New 
England people at Wyoming, increased the 



fury of the white people against the Indiana 
settled at Nain. On the 8th of November, 
1763, the Moravian Indians there were sent to 
Philadelphia by order of the Governor, for 
protection. And the Indians from the Mis- 
sion at Wyalusing, were also sent to the same 
place, for the same reasons, and all lodged in 
the Barracks. 

Wechqimtaiilc was burnt by the white people 
on the night of November 18, 1763, and some 
incendiaries endeavored to destroy Bethle- 
hem. The Oil Mill was set on fire, and en- 
tirely consumed, and the fury of the flames 
was such, that the adjoining Water Works 
were with difficulty saved. 

Peace was finally concluded with the hos- 
tile Indians, in 1764, when the Moravian 
Indians returned in safety to Nain, Wyalus- 
ing and Bethlehem; but were soon after, ia 
1765, removed to the Susquehanna. 



26 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 




The " Old Mill." — built, 1751. — burned in 1S60. 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER IV. 
lnK Old JIill, built 1751, burned in 18G9. 
— The Bethlehem Wateu Works. — Revo- 
lutionary Times of 1776. — ^?ASHINGTON 
AND Bishop Ettwein. — Pulaski's Banner 
— Longfellow's Poem. — Visit of Washing- 
ton. — Lafayette. — Mrs. Keidesel's Ac- 
count. — Mrs. Friday. — Cotton. — The Fish- 
ery. — Manufactures. — MainRoadto Ohio. 
— The Stone Ridge. — Views and Scenery. 

I t the head of this chapter will be seen 
a correct view of the " Old Mill," 
lately destroyed by fire, which was consid- 
ered, very justly, one of the most interest- 
ing curiosities in Bethlehem. It was made 
from a photograph, taken by Moulton A. 
Kleckner, residing in the town. He has 
taken excellent pictures of all the old build- 
ings of the i)lace, and handsome stereoscopic 
views of all the beautiful spots in the vicini- 
ty. He deserves much credit for the love of 
art, and pride of place, which have induced 
hiiu to take and preserve fur the future, so 
mauy objects of interest. 



The following pleasing account of the" Old 
Mill," and the more ancient structure, erect- 
ed by the Moravian Brethren, on the samo 
spot, is copied from The B^thUlicvi Daily T'tme-'j 
of January 27th, 1SG9, a newspaper editeil by 
David J. Godshalk and Wm. Haekett, Jun., 
gentlemen who appreciate the historical 
mementoes connected with the venerable 
old town in which they live; and who take 
pleasure in recording in their spirited daily, 
all matters of interest concerning its antiqui- 
ties, and its local history. 

" The Old mU.—Bmh \1-A.—VuT<Kd Jan. 27, 
1869. 
The Moravians who settled in the Forks of 
Delaware, in 1741, had the harvests of that 
and the following year ground for bread, at 
Nathaniel Irish's Mill, on Saucou Creek, 
near its confluence with the Lehigh, (now 
the site of Shimersville.) Mr. Irish was a man 
of some note on the borders, an agent for Wil- 
liam Allen, Esq., merchant of Philadelphia, 
in the sale of lands, and a Justice of the 
Peace of the countv of Bucks. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



27 



The erection of so important a building as 
a grist mill, for an agricultural people, en- 
gaged in the establishment of an exclusive 
settlement, was taken in hand by the Mora- 
vians of Bethlehem, in 1743 ; and on the 2oth 
of January of that year, a site for the struc- 
ture was selected. In April the work was 
already under roof; on the 24th of June the 
machinery was put in running order, and on 
the 28th of June the first grist was ground. 
The wheaten loaf, eaten next day by the 
brotherhood, was altogether of their make. 
This achievement was a matter of congratu- 
lation to the infant settlement, as well as to 
the neighborhood, which in those days of 
scattered farms, embraced a wider area than 
at present. For, we are told, in February of 
1847, there came neigJibors from beyond the 
Blue Mountain, (adventurous German farm- 
ers who had hewed them farms in the very 
heart of the Indian country, on the borders 
of the Aquarishiecola and the Pocopoco,) to 
have the fruit of their toil converted into 
bread at the Moravian Mill. One Adam 
Schaus, else unknown to fame, was the first 
miller. He ran but one pair of stones ; but 
they ground well, and won Adam a goodly 
reputation; and many came from the East 
and from the West, and most came from the 
' North Countrie,' from the land of pines, and 
swamps, and scrub-oaks, to have their grain 
made into fiour; and in 1744 there was taken 
from these barbarians, as the Greeks would 
say, toll as follows : 

Of wheat, 222 bushels: of rye, 170 bushels; 
of Indian corn, 27 bushels ; of buckwheat, 12 
bushels ; of barley, 2 bushels. 

Mr. Henry Antes, of Frederic, (now Mont- 
gomery County,) descendants of whom are 
still residing in and about Pottstown, was 
the millwright employed by the Moravians 
in the construction of the mill in 1743. It 
was built of stone, and well-built, too, as was 
the fashion of those days; yet its walls gave 
way under the pressure of the swollen Ma- 
nocasy, in the freshet of March 30, 1747 ; 
and although repaired, in the course of a few 
years it was thought advisable to supersede 
it by a new and large building. 

Preparations for the erection of the second 



Moravian Mill, were made early in 17.01. 
The masons began with the foundation-wall 
on the 14th of June, selecting the best of the 
limestone that was quai'ried on Nisky Hill, 
for this part of the work. As harvest was at 
the door, and the entire force of the settle- 
ment would be needed during its continu- 
ance, every nerve was strained to make 
headway in the important undertaking just 
initiated. By the end of August, the build- 
ing was under roof, the works in running 
order, and on the 2nd of September, 1751, the 
first grist was ground by the mill, that ground 
its last, on the 27th of January, 1869. 

The structure was 90 x 31 feet, and con- 
tained in addition to one run of stones for 
grinding grain, and a granary, a fulling mill, 
a clothiers shop, and a dye-house, all under 
one roof. The limestone was quarried in the 
Nisky quarries, and the laths sawed at the 
Gnadenhoch (now Christianbrun,) saw mill. 
Durham Furnace supplied the iron work of 
the machinery. The water wheel and mill 
stones were new. Above the former was the 
mill room. In May, 1753, a second run of 
stones was added. The ground floor was 
laid in tiles, the roof covered with the same 
material, and the building furnished with a 
sun dial and elevator. 

Mr. John Jungmann, a well known mis- 
sionary among the Indians, who died in 
Bethlehem on the 17th of July, 1808, tells us 
in his autobiography, he was the ''rst miller 
in the mill of 1754. 

During the French and Indian war, in 
1755, and again in 1758, when the part of 
Bethlehem, long and still known as Water 
Street, and the workshops and institutes on 
Main Street, were palisaded and put info a 
state of defense from fear of surprises by hos- 
tile Indians, the old mill was the eitidal 
within the city, crowded with panic stricken 
refugees from the unprotected frontiers. 

When, in 17C9, the Moravians in North 
America abolished the quasi commuuistio 
system of which Bethlehem had been thji 
central point since 1741, the mill was work- 
ed for the benefit of the settlement solely, 
being one of a number of industrial pursuits 
retained as sources of revenue. 



28 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



In 1830 it was purchased by Charles Au- 
gustus Luckenback, of the Bethlehem con- 
gregation of the United Brethren, and of 
him by Jacob Luckenback. The late pro- 
prietors, David k Andrew Luckenback, have 
the sympathy of the community in tlie ca- 
lamity so suddenly befallen them. 

In the sad loss of property occasioned by 
the disastrous conflagration of last night, is 
involved the destruction of another of the 
few remaining monuments of early Moravian 
domination in the forks of Delaware. The 
old mill carried us back further into the past 
than ])erhaps any other remaining old time 
landmark here, excepting the ' stone row' ou 
Church Street. It weathered the storms of 
one hundred and eighteen years, and outlived 
the changes that have since then came over 
the country in which, and the association by 
which it was erected in 1751. Pennsylvania 
was then a loyal province of the British 
crown, and the Moravians in North America 
a society, in an extraordinary sense of the 
word, organized to a man for missionary ac- 
tivity. Its erection supplied the urgent want 
of the settlement, and proved a benefaction 
to the country around. It was alwa3'S a busy 
place, the old mill down by the creek, with 
its face to the sunny South, and yet cool in 
the shadow of willows. It was always busy 
within with its whirring stones, and drijiping 
wheel, and trembling hopper, that poured 
out untold wealth of golden grain, to be 
transformed into the staff of life ; and I can 
even now see how busy the scene without 
already in the times of Adam Schues, the 
first of a long line of ' dusty millers,' whore, 
on ' mill days,' a cavalcade of settlers from 
the outskirts of Pennsylvania civilization 
would dismount, and, tying their jaded beasts 
with rope halters, each shouldered his grist, 
and, as he crossed the threshold within the 
precincts of t)3e famous Moravian Mill, did 
homage to the mysterious dial that stood 
sentinel above ; and thus each succeeding 
generation repeated the busy scene without, 
with only a change of masks. But the life 
within the mill was the same; and this ceased 
when its restless hour glass, from which the 
golden grain of over a hundred years had 



poured in one continuous stream, was at last 
run out. 

And because the life of the mill was a long 
life of good to the family of man, hence these 
chronicles and hence this pious requiem. 

The original mill-stones, used in the ' old 
mill' when it was first erected, in 1743, were 
found by the Messrs. Luckenback, in remov- 
ing the ruins left by the late fire." 

The Water Works of Bethlehem, are cele- 
brated as the first of the kind erected in this 
country. They were planned and construct- 
in the year 1762, by a Danish Moravian, a 
resident of the village ; Hana Christian Chria- 
tianson, a shoemaker, and a native of the city 
of Copenhagen ; and were first put in operas 
tion on the 21st of January, 1764. The ma- 
chinery consisted of three single acting force 
pumps, four inch calibre, and eighteen inch 
stroke, worked by a triple crank, geared to 
the shaft of an undershot water wheel, eigh- 
teen feet in diameter, and two feet clear in 
the buckets. The total head of water was 
two feet. On the water wheel shaft was a 
wallower of thirty-three rounds, and gearing 
into a spin- wheel of fifty-two cogs, attached 
to the, crank. The three pistons were at- 
tached each to a frame cross-head, working 
in grooves, to give them a parallel motion 
with the pump, the cross-head was wood, as 
well as the part containing the grooves, as 
guides. These works were in operation until 
1832, when the present works were erected, 
and remodelled, upon the principle of the 
present Water Works at Fairmount, Phila- 
delphia, where the horizontal d-juhle forcing 
pump, the design of Frederick Graeff, was 
first used in this country. 

The first raising main of the Bethlehem 
works, was made of Gum wood as far as it was 
subject to great pressure, the rest of pitch 
pine. The first forcing pumps were made of 
Lignum Vitae, the water was forced up into 
the Receiver, in the High Tower, at the west 
end of the " Brothers' and Sisters' House ;" 
from thence it was distributed into Water 
Boxes or Cisterns, partly above ground, from 
which it was drawn ofi"for use. The water- 
boxes mentioned, were six in number, and 
were situated at the following places. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



1. In the yard of the Brethren's House. 

2. In the yard of the Sisters' House, on Church 

Street, and still in use. 

3. At Simon Bau's, still used. 

4. In Market Street, opposite the Old Grave- 

yard, and still in use. 

5. In the Old Farm House Yard. 

6. .-Vt the " Sun Hotel." 

The first pipes laid for the conveyance 
of water, were of leather, but not proving 
very serviceable, wooden ones were soon 
substituted; in 1780 leaden pipes were intro- 
duced in their stead, and in 1813 these were 
changed for pipes made of iron, which are 
now used all over the town. 

In constructing the first Water Works, a 
very curiously made crank had to be invent- 
ed, in order to work the three pistons, itwas 
at first thought to be impossible to make it, 
but a celebrated blacksmith of the place, 
named Stephen Blum, accomplished it, and 
gained great credit thereby. 

The Spring from which the supply of wa- 
ter is obtained, is quite a curiosity in its way, 
and that it is able to furnish the constant 
demand, is a matter of astonishment to all 
who examine it, for it is a very small aifair, 
not more than three feet square, and two 
feet deep, situated near the " Old Mill," on 
Water Street, opposite the "Old Tannery," 
yet, small as it is, and despite the constant 
use of its waters, there is never, even in 
summer time; any perceptible diminutinn 
in the quantity of water in the Spring ; 
there being a constant, and almost imper- 
ceptible flow into it from some unseen 
source. And although in 1S68, steam power 
was introduced to supply the increasing de- 
mand of the growing town, the Spring still 
continues full, without any signs of inability 
to meet all the wants of the inhabitants, ex- 
cept in cases of fires. 

The lower Mill, where the forcing power is 
located, is the Mill where the celebrated 
Bethlehem buckwheat flour is made, which 
is in such demand in the cities of Philadel- 
phia and New York. The forcing power 
was, previous to the year 1868, furnished by 



the water of the Manockasy Creek, which 
runs through that part of the town. 

The water of the Spring is very cool and 
clear, slightly impregnated with lime, but 
not enough so as to affect its taste ; it is per- 
fectly healthful, very pleasant to the pal- 
ate, and has no perceptible cfl'ect upon the hu- 
man system, that is at all injurious. A largo 
frame building is erected over the Spring, 
which is used by the people of the neigh- 
borhood, for the purpose of keeping cool and 
preserving their meats and butter, during 
the summer season,the water passing through 
it, keeping the building as cold as an ice house. 
The reservoirs in the town, into which the 
water is conveyed for distribution, are cov- 
ered from the sun and dirt, so that it is car- 
ried to the houses, free from all impurities, 
and comes out of the supply pipes as clear 
as crystal, and does not need ice to cool it, 
even in the hottest days of summer. 

Before the Water Works were erected there 
were many attempts made to obtain water, 
by digging wells, butas thehillon which the 
town is built, is formed of rotten lime-stone, 
all was labor in vain. There exists at jire- 
senf, in the middleof BroadStreetnear Main, 
one of those wells arched over, instead of 
being filled up ; its exact position will be dis- 
covered unexpectedly some day. 

The Rev. C. F. Seidel, thus speaks of the 
Bevolutionary Times of 1776. " During the 
Revolutionary War, the Moravians were di- 
vided in opinion. The clergy mostly sided 
with the Tories, hut a portion of the Breth- 
ren, and nearly all the Sisters, sided with 
the Whigs. Brother Ettwein, leader of the 
congregation, sided with the Whigs, and was 
a great friend of Washington. He was fre- 
quently consulted by the noble General, and 
the Bishop ever found a ready and a stea 1- 
fast friend and protector in him. 

"The people were prejudiced against the 
Brethren because they refused to bear arms. 
(The Moravians held it against their con- 
science to engage in ofi^nsive war, resisting 
armed force was regarded as a duty.) but 
when their position was explained, and their 
honest intentions made known to reasonable 
persons, no objection could be made to their 



30 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Course. Tlipy nursed the sick and wounded, 
gave up their houses for hospitals, and many 
even died from the contagious camp fever. 
They visited the siok, supplied them with 
clothing, and showed them every act of kind- 
ness. Eeligious services were held twice 
every week; but arms they would not bear, 
deeming it wrong to kill their fellow crea- 
tures." 

" Bishop Ettwein, says : ' In those years, 
when the chief Hospital of the United States 
army was located at Bethlehem, I was a 
visitor to the sick, and a preacher in the 
Hospital, and preached twice each week to 
five or six hundred soldiers, and had the 
pleasure to observe good fruits.' 

" Washington admired the character of the 
Moravians, and during an interview with 
Ettwein, expressed himself to that eflect. 
saying : ' I wish I were a simple Moravian.' 
— ' Bletb an ico du hist .'' — stay where you 
are, answered the Bishop, ' you can do more 
good where you are.' The Bishop had great 
influence with Washington, he spoke in such 
a blunt, straight forward way, that he gain- 
ed the General's good opinion. Washington 
detested unnecessary fuss. 

" The Bishop was the first Fremdindiener, 
(i. c. Guide or Strangers' Friend,) in Bethle- 
hem, from 1776 to 1779. An anecdote is told 
of him, which shows his active measures in 
religious affairs. While speaking to the 
congregation, during the Revolutionary War. 
on their duties to their God and their coun- 
try, he remarked that they should not forget 
to pray for the Government, and ' Wir besser 
tathens gleich,' i. c, ' We had better do so 
at once I' and fell on his knees and poured 
out a fervent prayer for the protection of the 
Almighty over our country. Then, as now, 
the whole congregation done as their minister 
did, fell on their knees also. In prayer, none 
but those who are sick or disabled, are al- 
lowed to keep their seats." 

Among the Archives of the Society, are 
preserved many original and valuable papers 
and letters ; a copy of one of the letters is in- 
serted here, as confirming the foregoing state- 
ments, and redounding to the credit of this 
ancient Church. 



" Bethlehem, September 22, 1777. 

Having observed a humane and diligent 
attention to the sick and wounded, and a 
benevolent desire to make necessary provi- 
sion for the relief of the distressed, as far as 
the powers of the Brethren enable them ; we 
desire that all Continental officers may re- 
frain from disturbing the persons or property 
of the Moravians in Bethlehem, and particu- 
larly, that they do not disturb or molest the 
Houses where the Women are assembled. 

Given under our hands, at the time and 

place above mentioned. 

John Hancock, Richard Henrt Lee, 

Mathan Bkow.vsov, Hexry Lacrens, 

Nathaniel Folsom, William Bder, 

CoRXELiiis Harnett, Richard Law, 

Benj. Harrison, Samoel Adams, 

John Adams, James Duane, 

Henry Marchant, Eliphalet Dyer, 

Joseph Jones, Wm. Williams. 

Belegates to Congress." 
The " Brethren's House" was taken as the 
Army Hospital, of course the Society object- 
ed, but in vain, and the Brethren had to 
live with their friends and relatives in the 
town, a necessity which finally led to the 
entire abandonment of the custom of the 
Single Brethren all living together in one 
establishment, although not till some time 
thereafter, for it was not till 1S15, that the 
"■ Brethren's House" was handed over for the 
use of the Girls' School, and occupied that 
year for its new purpose, for which it is still 
used, being the centre building of the Semi- 
nary, fronting on Main Street. 

It was on the 3rd of December, 1770, .nat 
the General Hospital of the American army 
was established at Bethlehem, and on the 
same day. Doctors Warren and Shippen ar- 
rived, and took possession of the " Breth- 
ren's House," and made arrangements for 
250 sick soldiers, who came into town the 
next day, gaunt, destitute and famishing, 
and had not the people supplied them with 
food, many would have perished, no gov- 
ernment supplies having arrived. During the 
winter, 110 of the soldiers died; and were 
buried near where Levin J. Krause's large 
barn now stands, on the west bank of the 
Manockasy, on the north side of the road 
leading to Allentown. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



31 



On the ITth of December, General Lee's 
division of the army, consisting of 3,000 
men, reached Bethlehem, and encamped for 
the night on the south side of the river, 
General Sullivan in command. 

On September 2d, 1777," The Large Family 
House," was taken for quarters for 260 Eng- 
lish prisoners; the Brethren objected, but 
without avail. On the 23rd, the whole of the 
heavy baggage of the army arrived at the 
place for winter quarters, the train consisted 
of 700 wagons, and an escort of 200 men, un- 
der the command of Colonel Polk. And the 
" Brethren's House" was again used as a 
hospital till June, 1778. 

In the history of Lehigh Valley, it is writ- 
ten that, " In consequence of the removal of 
the hospital to Bethlehem, in 1776, the place 
was visited by many persona of distinction, 
among whom were General Washington, the 
Marquis de La-Fayette, Count Pulaski, Baron 
De Kalb, Generals Armstrong, Gates, Mifflin 
and Schuyler, John Hancock, Henry Lau- 
rens, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and 
others." 

"It was during this time that Count Pu- 
laski was complimented for his gallantry, by 
a presentation of a banner, embroidered by 
the ' Singh Sitters/ as a token of their grati- 
tude for the protection he had afforded them, 
surrrounded as they were, by rough and un- 
couth soldiery. The banner was made of 
crimson silk. On one side the capitals U. S. 
are encircled by the motto, ' Unitaa Virtus 
fortier,' on the other side, the all-seeing eye 
of God, in the midst of thirteen stars of the 
Union, is surrounded by the motto, ' Non 
alius regit.' These designs were embroidered 
with yellow silk, the letters shaded with 
green. A deep green bullion fringe orna- 
ments the edges; the size of the banner was 
twenty inches square. It was attached to a 
lance, when borne in the field. The banner 
was received by Pulaski with grateful ac- 
knowledgments, and borne by his regiment 
through the campaign, until he fell in the 
attack upon Savannah j in the autumn of 1779. 
It is now in the possession of the Maryland 
Historical Society at Baltimore. Longfellow 



has immortalized the incident in a beautiful 
poem, which is printed by permission of his 
publishers. Field, Osgood & Co., entitled the 

HYMN 
Of the Moravian Ntiiis at Btthichein at the conse- 
cration of Pulaski's Banner. 
" When the dying flame of day. 

Through the chancel shot its ray, 

Far the glimmering tapers shed. 

Faint light on the cowled head , 

And the censer burning swung. 

Where before the Altar, hung 

The blood red banner, that with prayt-r 

Had been consecrated there, 

And the nuns' sweet hymn was heard the while, 

Sung low in the dim mysterious aisle. 

" Take thy banner I May it wave 
Proudly o'er the good and brave; 
When the battle's distant wail, 
Breaks the Sabbath of otir vale; 
When the clarion's music thrills 
To the heart of these lone hills. 
When the spear in conflict sliakea, 
And the strong lance shivering breaks. 

'* Take thy banner I and beneath 
The battle cloud's encircling breath, 
Guard it I till our homes are free I 
Guard it! God will prosper thee I 
In the dark and dying hour. 
In the breaking forth of power, 
In the rush of steeds and men, 
His right hand will shield thee then. 

" Take thy banner I but when night 
Closes round the ghastly fight. 
If the vanquished w.arrior bow. 
Spare him I by our holy vow, 
By our prayers and many tears 
By the mercy that endears, 
Spare him I he our love hath shared! 
Spare him I as thou would'st be spared ! 

" Take thy banner 1 and if e'er, 
Thou should'st press a soldier's bier. 
And the muffled drum should beat 
To the tread of mournful feet. 
Then this crimson flag shall be 
Martial cloak and shroud for thee. 

" The warrior took that banner proud, 
And it was his martial cloak and shroud." 

The piece is very beautiful, but it is very 
certain that Longfellow never visited Beth- 
lehem, or any other Moravian town. 

An old Sister, writing of Revolutionary 



32 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



times, says: "General Washington visited 
Bethlehem but onec, he intended coming a 
second time, but did not do so. When here 
he visited the manufactories of the Society. 
The Woollen and Fulling Mill, ,then in the 
old mill on Water Street,) the ' Brother's 
House,' the 'Sister's house,' and everywhere 
that manufactories were established. At tlie 
' Sister's House,' he stood for some time in 
the southeast room, now occupied by Sister 
Sally Horsfield, he expressed himself much 
pleased with the product of their industry, 
and desired to purchase a dress for Lady 
Washington, but the Sisters presented him 
with the materials for one for her, a dress 
pattern of ' blue stripe.' His officers pur- 
chased finery, but the general supplied him- 
self with useful articles, among which were 
two pairs of stockings." 

James Hall, in his manuscript, says, he 
remembered Washington well, that he visited 
Bethlehem twice, and was welcomed by the 
music of trombones, playing in the belvedere 
on the " Brethren's House." 

La-Fayette came to the town on the 20th 
of September, 1778. Charles Beckel, in his 
journal, says : " This young French general 
lodged at our house. He had been wounded 
in the foot at the battle of Brandywine. I 
had an aunt, who was then about 17 or IS 
years of age. She was the Marquis' nurse. 
Being very handsome and lively, my grand- 
father became very uneasy for fear of her 
forming an intimacy with the volatile and 
witty Frenchman." 

Mr. Beckel lived in the house now occupied 
by Ranch, as a confectionery store. 

Frederica Von Massow, the beautiful 
wife of Major-General Hiedesel, who com- 
iiKiuded the German Auxiliaries, (Bruns- 
wicker's,^ in Burgoyne's Array, at the time 
of its capture at Saratoga, during the Revo- 
lution, thus speaks of Bethlehem in her pub- 
lished Letters and Journals, l>age 163. " Af- 
ter leaving York, Pennsylvania, we rode 
through a magnificent country, and passed 
among others, a very well cultivated section 
inhabited by the Moravian Brethren; one 
place 13 called the Holy Sepulchre, and 
another district gties by the name of the 



Holy Land, in which is a town called Beth- 
lehem, where we found a right good tav- 
ern. 

" In Bethlehem, as in all other Moravian 
communities, there are separate houses for 
the Brethren and Sisters. In the latter es- 
tablishment they made magnificent embroid- 
ery, and other beautiful handiworks, and we 
bought at these places several articles. A 
Miss Girsdorff, a German, who afterwards 
resided at Hernhut, had taught the Sister's 
all these kinds of work. The houses of this 
community are well built, and there were at 
this j)laceall sorts of manufactories. Among 
others there was one which dressed leather, 
which was as good as that of England, and 
half as cheap. The gentlemen of our party 
bought a quantity of it. There were also 
very clever cabinet makers, workers in steel 
and excellent smiths. While at Bethlehem 
we went to church, and enjoyed the splendid 
singing." 

During, and after the Revolution, says Mrs. 
Friday ; times were very hard, wages poor, 
little to do, and everything high ; 4-4 chintz 
sold at $3 per yard. Tea was a luxury none 
could enjoy. The sisters collected herbs in 
order to test them as a substitute for the tea- 
plant. Tea was three dollars a pound, Conti- 
nental money. A species of Sumac berries 
were used to flavor meats with, as salt was 
not to be had, and provisions were of a very 
bad quality ; even as late as lS2fl. 

'■ Cotton was not then raised in the United 
States, but was brought from Jamaica, and 
the best from St. Thomas, W. I. The price 
per pound paid for new cotton averaged 
about 60 cents ; soon after the Revolutionary 
War. Among the Sisters, spinning, weaving 
and needle work, were the sources of revenue. 
West India cotton was spun for the city and 
home markets, the cotton had first to be 
pulled apart, and the seeds had to be picked 
out, then (secondly,) carded into flalvcs, and 
(thirdly,) into rolls by hand, by means of a 
spindle. Cotton so prepared, was much 
stronger than when machine manufactured. 
Working cotton, knitting cotton and thread 
were also made; to earn seven cents a day 
was considered much. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



33 



*' Board at the '' Sister's House" cost seven 
shillings and three pence per week, includ- 
ing board for dinner, rent, night watch, sick 
room, and the privilege of taking boiling 
water. Breakfast and tea they found for 
themselves." 

Fish were caught in the Lehigh in great 
quantities. Shad were caught between the 
Islands and opposite Nisky Hill; they some- 
times sold at two cents each, and very large 
fish ; many were salted down in barrels. 
Tlie Lehigh abounded in shad and bass. In 
the Church Diaries of Bethlehem there is 
frequent mentjon of the fact. In the year 
1741, the statement is made, that, "at the 
end of August we were blessed with such 
abundance of Rock Fish, as to enable us to 
provide for our guests and friends in profu- 
sion." In May, 1752, one thousand shad were 
taken on the 10th of the month. May 18, 
17S5, nine hundred shad were caiight. May 
6, 1786, seven hundred. May 21, 1787, 
"fished for the last time this season and 
caught one hundred and eighty shad and 
thirty rock fish." The fishing gro\ind used 
to be below the upper bridge, the fish being 
driven into a pond opposite Mr. Beckel's 
foundry ; this mode of capturing the shad 
was learned from the Indians, and is des- 
cribed fully by Loskiel, in his " History of 
the Indian Mission." 

The Manockasy and Saucon creeks were 
both at one time celebrated for their fine 
trout. Some are yet occasionally caught in 
both streams. 

The Manockasy takes its name from the 
tribe of Minissink Indians who once hunted 
on its banks, and is a corruption of the name 
of that tribe. 

Wafers seem to have been a scarce com- 
modity in Revolutionary times, judging 
by the following order from the Honorable 
Executive Council of Peimilvania. 

Philadelphia, April 5, 1779. 

Sin : — I must beg the favour of you to send 
by the first good opportunity, half a pound 
of common sized wafers, 500 for the Great 
Seal, and 500 or 1000 for the less seal of the 
State, and I will pay you, or your order for 
them on demand. 



I am, with great respect, your F'd and 
Hon'ble Servant, 

T'Y MATLOCK, Sec'y. 
Directed. 

Rev'd John Ettwein, at Bethlehem. 

The manufactories of the Moravians in 
those early times, made them independent 
of the outside world. They raised hemp, 
flax and wool, grain of all kinds, from which 
they made starch, flour, and the buckwheat 
meal, which is celebrated even in this our 
day. From the flax they made Linsey- 
woolsey, for the females to w^ear, and the 
woolen for winter, with the changeable stripe 
or plaid of two colors, blue and red. These 
same goods, when fulled, were worn by the 
men and boys. They had good weavers, 
even in the " Sister's House." Letters are 
still preserved, which contain orders from 
merchants in Philadelphia, directing goods 
to be made for dresses for their wives. 

Sister Langley, an English Sister, had 
charge of the " Sister's House," and they 
produced some very handsome and superior 
needle-work. Dyeing, spinning, fulling, 
weaving, bleaching on grass, making glue 
and tanning were carried on to a much 
greater extent than at the present day. 

The first Tile and Brick Manufactory was 
established soon after the settlement of the 
town, in 1742, at a ]ilace about a mile north 
of Bethlehem, on the Manockasy Creek, on 
the farm now owned by B. G. Unangst, on 
the opposite side of the creek from his mill, 
a'nd near the Indian town; it was then known 
as Queer's place. The first bricks used in 
Bethlehem were made at this place; after- 
wards tiles were made in the town at the 
house now occupied by D. Henry Bishop, at 
the corner of the Main Street aud the road 
leading to AUentown. Earthenware was 
also extensively made, and in great demand. 
An applicant was asked, " How many cows 
have you got?" and if more were asked for 
than deemed necessary, told, " You must 
do with less." 

In those days an old finger post stood in 
the open space opposite Bishop's store, point- 
ing down tlie hill along the narrow, winding 



34 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



road, between the two old stone houses, lead- 
ing west to Allentown, with the following 
very indefinite direction inscribed upon it 
in quaint old fashions letters. 

"MAIN EGAD TO OHIO." 
A journey to Ohio in those days was a very 
serious matter, as it took from three weeks 
to a month's time, according to the mode of 
travel, on horseback, or by a Connestoga 
wagon. Now the guide post says, " To 
Reading 40 miles." 

The stone used for erecting most of the 
old stone buildings, and for the Old Chap- 
el and the Church, was brought from the 
mountain to the southwest of the " Islands," 
at the present day known as the Stone-ridge ; 
it acquired that name from the German word 
to slide, {Die stein riitscht.) Immense quanti- 
ties of good building stone were there lying 
loose on the side of the hill, and it was only 
necessary to slide them down to the water's 
edge, float them across the river on flat boats, 
and haul them into town for use. 

Houses in the olden times were built with 
great labor, no saw mills existed, the heavy 
logs were all dressed by the axe, even the 
studs for the partition walls had to be cut 
and dressed in the same manner, the plas- 
tering laths were split with the axe, the 
boards and laths were sawed with a whip 
saw, the wood used for all purposes was oak. 
The excellence of the work of the mechanics 
even in those rude times, was surprising, no 
such substantial buildings are erected now. 
All the other necessary work was done in 
the town. 

The mortar used in the old building has 
often created surprise, after over an hundred 
years, all of it is still in as good condition as 
when first put on, despite its exposure to the 
weather all that time, and the plastering 
inside the houses is smooth and hard, and 
has not chipped off, as it does in modern 
houses in a few years. This, however, is 
easily accounted for; in the old times people 
were not in a hurry, they made haste slowly. 
The mortar was prejiared in the fall of the 
year, in a pit in the ground, where it re- 
mained all winter, covered only by a few 



boards to keejj out the dirt, so that all the 
lime became thoronghli/ slacked by exposure 
to the weather, and when used, it became as 
soon as it was dry, a cement as hard almost 
as stone. 

The view of Bethlehem and the surround- 
ing country from Ranch's mountain farm, 
back of the Stone-ridge, is very fine. The 
Blue Mountains, about seventeen miles dis- 
tant, lie in the form of an are of a circle, 
distinctly visible, with that peculiar blue 
haze hanging over them, from which they 
derive their name, with indentations in their 
otherwise regular formation, known as the 
Lehigh Waler-Gnp, The Little Gap, and the 
Delaware Water Gap. In the centre of the 
picture looking north, half hid by a high 
projection of land, called the Camel's rump, 
lies slumbering the Moravian town of Naza- 
reth, plainly visible to the naked eye. To 
the right, and almost at the foot of the 
mountain, lies Moravian Bethlehem, and 
her lovely islands; between and around 
wliich winds the clear waters of the beautiful 
Lehigh ; on the north bank of which is seen 
the canal and railroad of the Lehigh Naviga- 
tion Company ; and on the south, the Lehigh 
Valley Railroad; while the broad exj)anse 
of the "Dry Lands," with its now richly 
cultivated fields, and its clumps of woodland, 
lie mapped out before the looker-on, forming 
a scene of surpassing beauty. 

The high hills around Bethlehem in the 
month of October, present asceneof gorgeous 
beauty almost beyond description. The foli- 
age of the trees contain all the tints of the 
rainbow, but are even more beautiful, if that 
is possible, because the colors are more dif- 
fused. Some trees, the pine, the hemlock 
and the laurel, still retain their vivid green. 
The sycamore, its sombre brown ; the maple, 
the beauty of the wood and valley, is parti- 
colored, its leaves green at first, soon turn 
into a brilliant red and yellow; the stur- 
dy oak is clothed in purple ; the gum is 
dressed in brilliant red ; the sumac bushes 
are covered with leaves of brightest crim- 
son ; the beech, with those of a delicate pale 
yellow, almost white; the chesnut, a buff; 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



35 



while the noble hickory hangs with golden 
pendants; the dog- wood has its deep rich 
red leaves, and clusters of berries, of a bright- 
er red. 

Walking one day of perfect beauty, in the 
Old Cemetery, during the time when the 
Lehigh hills wore their glorious autumnal 
livery, and the sun threw his golden light 
upon them : 

" Through a smoke, 

As from a thousand wigwama telle. 

The Indian Summer." 



and wanting some one to share my pleasure, 
I said to the Old Moravian grave-digger and 
overseer, Schmidt, busy at work near by, how 
beautiful the mountains look to day 7 " Yah I 
Yah!" he replied, "They look just like cali- 
co." — and so they did. 

The splendor of the sunsets at this season 
of the year, are only equalled by those of the 
spring months; and for a wonder, the in- 
habitants seem to enjoy those grand displays 
of nature as much as the visitors. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 




'^ -^-:;<?^_j::, 



THE "CHOWN TAVERN. 
(From the Nortli ) 
BETHLKHEM, rj. 






• CHAPTER V. 

TnE"CK0WN Inn." — The Sdn Hotel. — JIak- 
EiAGES IN Olden Times. — The Choirs. — 
Dr. John Schopf's Accodnt of his Visit. 
— A Sketch from the Boston Magazine 
OP 1784. — Extract from a paper read 
before: the Historical Society of Penn- 
stltania. 



"he first Tavern in Bethlehem was the 
'' Crown Inn," a view of which heads 
this chapter, made from a drawing by Mr. Ru- 
fusA. Grider. Itwa.s built in 1743, near where 
the old Lehigh bridge now spans that river, 
on the southern bank of the stream. In 
17y-l, on the completion of the bridge, the 
Inn was converted into a farm house. It 
stood on the lauds of the " Crown Farm," 
so called, which consisted of 1200 acres ; 
and from that circumstance took its name. 
While a Tavern, it was kept by Ephraim 



Culver, in 17G3, and afterwards by Valentine 
Fuehrer. The old Inn was torn down in 
1854, and its former site is now occupied by 
the new Union depot of the North Pennsyl- 
vania and Lehigh Valley railroads. Previous 
to the erection of the bridge, there was a Rope 
Ferry over the river at this point, under the 
charge of Massy Warner. 

The Ferry across the river was of such par- 
ticular contrivance, that a llatboat, large 
enough to oari-y a team of six horses, run 
upon a strong rope, made fast on each bank, 
and stretched across the river ; and by the 
mere force of the stream, without any other 
assistance, it crossed the river backwards and 
forwards; the i^'to always being put in an 
oblique direction, with its foremost end verg- 
ing towards the line described by the rope. 

In the year 17(!fl, the Brethren completed 
the erection of the '■ Sun Hotel." It was origi- 
nally keptby Matthias Schropp, and its lirst 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



license is dated June 20, IJCiO. There are 
many incidents connected witli tliis famous 
hostelrie, tliat should not be forgotten. 
Nearly all the patriots who signed the Dec- 
laration of Independence, have eaten and 
slept beneath its roof. Washington, La- 
fayette, Pulaski, and many other great gene- 
rals of our Revolutionary army, hare par- 
taken of its cheer; all of our Presidents 
have passed beneath its hospitable portals ; 
Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant, only except- 
ed ; anil the fairest and proudest daughters 
of America, have graced its halls with their 
charms. It is one of the piost famous Inns 
in all this fair land of Liberty, and although 
little is left to remind the traveller of its ap- 
pearance in ancient times, it is still as cele- 
brated as in days of yore. 

In 1777, Just Johnson was the landlord of 
the " Sun," and upon making application for 
the renewal of his license for the next year, 
it was granted on condition that he took the 
Test Otilli: this he refused to do. The "Test 
law," which passed in 1777, rendered it 
obligatory on every man over 21 years of 
age, to take the oath of allegiance to the 
United States. About 69 of the Brethren re- 
fused to stand the test ; professing to have 
conscientious scruples against taking an 
oath. The Ministers and the older Urethren 
opposed the taking of the obligation, while 
the younger members of the church sub- 
scribed willingly ; this created great excite- 
ment in the church. In 1786, after the war 
was over, Johnson, and the other 68, took 
the oath ; having forgotten that they were 
scrupulous. 

Johnson was a man of a powerful frame, 
a host ! within himself. Christian Grubb, an 
iron master of Lancaster County, having 
heard of Johnson, and being himself notor- 
ious fur his great strength, and also a cele- 
brated boxer, visited the " Sun," on purpose 
to get up a fight with the giant Moravian 
Brother; but it was not until he had been 
grossly insulted, that Just lost his good tem- 
per; then, suddenly seizing Grubb by his 
breeches and his coat collar, he threw him 
over the iron railing of the tavern porch, 
(which were some feet from the ground,) to 



the pavement below, saying, " God bless 
meiner soul, I drowsyou over de bannisters." 
Grubb was quite a heavy man, and being 
very good natured in the main, was satisfied 
with Johnson's display of strength, told him 
who he was, and why he had visited Beth- 
lehem, and so together they made themselves 
merry over the occurrence. 

Tlie " Sun" was also the " head-quarters" 
of that famous land speculator, Nicholas 
Kraemer, of AUentown ; who held weekly 
" cimrta" there from 1800 to 1817. He bought 
and sold lands at exorbitant prices, and in 
immense quantities. Sellers and buyers met 
here in great numbers at the " Sun" on his 
meeting days. He was well acquainted with 
the value of all the lands in the surrounding 
counties, and his purchases were made at 
once; in selling he named his price instan- 
tor, and never varied. He was entirely un- 
edhcated, and could not write his name or 
even draw a figure, yet he could reckon up 
his purchases or calculate his loss or gain, 
mentally, in a few moments. His liberality 
was proverbial; on his court dai/By as they 
were called, he paid all the expenses at the 
Hotel, amounting often to hundreds of dol- 
lars. His bills at the "Sun" amounted to 
thousands every year. The moneyed troub- 
les of 1S17 entirely ruined him, and he died 
quite poor. 

In 1S.35, a third story was added to the 
original structure ; in ISoO it was further en- 
larged for the accommodation of the increas- 
ed travel, by the addition of the present ex- 
tensive back building, and in 1857, it was 
again enlarged, by adding a fourth-story to 
the entire building, so great was the demand 
for rooms by summer visitors to the town, 
and the growing travel arising from the 
opening the. rich products of the Lehigh 
Valley to a market, by the different railroads 
built and projected through it. 

The old building, as it appeared in former 
days, no longer greets the eye of the traveller ; 
but the curious may see, neatly framed, and 
hanging in the reading-room of the hotel, 
the original plan and elevation of the an- 
cient famous structure ; this careful preser- 
vation of old relics, has been from the early 



38 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



days of its settlement, a peculiar feature of 
the people of the ancient church who settled 
the town. 

"Sister Sally Horsfield," thus describes a 
■wedding in Bethlehem in 17S0. 

" The couple were married in the ' Old 
Chapel,' which was open to the whole con- 
gregation. After the ceremony, the friends 
and the invited guests proceeded to the small 
chapel, {Kleine Saal,) which was in the se- 
cond-story of the * Gemein Hans.' The Brothers 
and Sisters walked in and sat down on bench- 
es without leans to them, each sex separate. 
The bride and groom proceeded to the minis- 
ter's room, which was in the same house ; 
where the bride was divested of her rose- 
colored ribbon, and a blue one placed in- 
stead. The newly married couple then pro- 
ceeded to the Chapel again, taking their seats 
in the face of the congregation, when wine, 
diluted with water, into which nutmeg was 
grated, was handed to them and the guests. 
When they entered, all eyes were fixed on the 
bride, in order to see whether she had lost 
her ribbon. The cake eaten with the wine 
was pretzel." 

The females were divided into five choirs, 
each choir having its distinctive ribbon, the 
order was as follows : 

Children wore in their caps cherry or 
scarlet — girls wore coclico or crimson — sin- 
gle sisters pink or blossom — married sisters 
light blue — widows wore white ribbon. Thus, 
all classes could easily be distinguished by 
the color of the ribbon they wore on their 
caps. The Elders of the choir were called 
choir laborers. 

Seats without leans to them were invented 
to keep the worshipers from going to sleep, 
an excellent remedy; yet improved upon in 
Bome churches in ancient days, by having 
the seats of the benches revolve on pivots, 
BO that to slumber and nod, gave the sleepy 
victim a violent start, or if the only one on 
the scat, a fall over backwards. 

The large Moravian church till ISCS, had 
hard wooden benches, of unpainted pine, 
■with backs to them, for the congregation to 
Bit on, very primitive in style, very disa- 



greeable to look at, and exceedingly uncom- 
fortable to sit upon. But as there was no 
earthly reason for continuing the use of such 
back breaking machines, and it being ad- 
mitted that true religion does not require us 
to do penance in church, more agreeable 
arrangements have been made, adding much 
to the beauty of the interior of the building, 
and giving more comfort to the congregation. 

Dr. John Schopf, in his book entitled, 
" Incider.U of Travel, &c., in 178.3 and '84." 
Thus relates his visit to Bethlehem. 

" From a distance it rises most impressive- 
ly on the traveller's view, and after having 
passed the last half of the way from Phila- 
delphia through a tedious sameness of forest 
and underwood, with only an occasional 
lowly cabin, the effect is almost overpow- 
ering, on suddenly seeing before him in an 
anticipated wilderness, stately buildings, 
rising aloft, side by side. There are ur- 
wards of fifty (50) houses in the village. 
The principal building is imposing, large, 
and has two wings. One of the latter con- 
tains a capacious place of worship, and fur- 
nishes a place of residence for the ministers. 

'• In the centre is the school for children, 
and in the right wing the sisters live. Op- 
posite stands the Widow's House, and further 
down the street the Brethren's House. These, 
and all the other buildings, are constructed 
of the limestone of the neighborhood. An 
air of superlative cleanliness prevades the 
Sister's House, spinning, weaving, knitting 
and embroidery, occu2>y the time and atten- 
tion of its inmates. The Si ngle Brethren are 
employed with various trades. In short, 
the arrangement of these houses is the same 
as that adopted in similar institutions of the 
Moravian Brethren in Europe, bearing the 
impress of order and industry. 

'• The congregation numbers about 500 souls, 
the majority of whom are Germans. There 
are but few English; and yet almost every 
individual is conversant with both langua- 
ges, — so much so, that a discourse in the 
English language is held each Sunday. As 
most of the Brethren, and especially their 
minister, are of Saxon origin, it is a matter 
of no surprise that the purest and most cor- 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



39 



rect German of which America can boast, is 
spoken here at Bethlehem, and in the other 
Moravian settlements. 

" The Right Rev. John Etwein and the 
Rev. .John Andrew Ileiibrer, are at present 
the acting clergymen. The former was ab- 
sent. In the latter I found an agreeable and 
amiable gentleman. He is an ardent lover 
of botany, but his pastoral duties leave him 
little leisure for the prosecution of this sci- 
ence. Dr. Otto attends the community in the 
three-fold capacity of physician, surgeon and 
apothecary. There is only one I.s.v, and it 
belongs to the congregation. Its accommo- 
dations are not inferior to those of the first 
hotels in America. Everything about the 
establishment is excellent, and the traveller 
is surprised at finding in this remote and 
secluded village, what he cannot obtain in 
towns as large, and even larger, on the pub- 
lic highways. The house is seldom without 
visitors, in addition to transient travellers. 
Philadelphians are wont to make excursions 
hither, with the two-fold object of viewing 
the institutions and social arrangements of 
the congregation, and also enjoying the su- 
perior entertainments afforded by this house. 
"While sojourning under its hospitable roof, 
I made the acquaintance of Baron Hermelin, 
an able Sweedish mineralogist, who had 
come from Europe to examine American 
mines. 

" In the spring of the year the Lehigh is 
wont to swell considerably, from heavy 
rains and sudden thaws, — according to the 
gauge at the Brewer3-, generally from seven 
to eight feet, and on one occasion, as much 
as eleven feet. These freshets frequently 
continue for some days, and aid flat-boats 
laden with grain and produce, to pass over 
the rocks and shallows, which usually ren- 
der the river unnavigable for such craft. 
The Lehigh empties into the Delaware, and 
alTordd by these spring freshets a convenient 
communication with Philadelphia. 

"In the Lehigh and its tributary creeks are 
found muscles, which occasionally contain 
tolerably large and pure pearls. -* » ® 
On the banks of the Lehigh, around which 
gather in bewildering beauty, all the fasci- 



nations of a truly delightful region, are 
crowded together a number of the most 
beautiful North American shrubs and trees, 
which, with their shadow and boughs over- 
hanging the banks far into the stream, im- 
part to the picture a glow of richest ex- 
uberance. ■*" * "■■•■ The river does not ex- 
ceed a hundred yards in breadth — a gentle, 
clear and sparkling stream, flowing over a 
rocky bed. 

"■ We visited the interesting factories and 
mills belonging to the Society, and among 
these was a well-arranged Oil Mill and 
Grist Mill. The former is newly built, on 
the site of an old one, which was destroyed 
by fire a few years ago. On the upjjer floor 
of the Grist Mill is a crane, in connection 
with the mill works, by which the heaviest 
burdens are raised aloft. There is besides, a 
profitable tannery, with the requisite bark- 
mill, and an extensive dyeing establishment. 

" As Bethlehem lies high on a limestone 
ridge, it is supplied with water from a single 
spring, which, however, is never failing and 
pure. It lies far down in the valley, near 
the river. The Water Works are admirably 
contrived. ■■' '^~ -■■' ^■' -i^ '■■'- 

" N'ear the river is an ingeniously arranged 
brewery, erected under the superintendence 
of Sigmund Leshinsky. The water used in 
the brewery is pumped from the Lehigh. 
The boiler is at such an elevation, that the 
boiling water flows downward over the malt, 
and is thence pumped by hand into the vat 
which contains the hops, from here the in- 
fusion is drawn off in pipes leading to the 
cooling vat, and finally led by others into 
casks in the cellar immediately below; 
these arrangements, under one or two men, 
sufiiced for all the necessary work. The 
malt is dried in the air. The beer is of su- 
perior quality. ''' »■ s:- •» -S" 

The author of the following sketch, copied 
from the Boston Magazine, for May, 1784, 
(lately reproduced in the Moravian,) not 
having properly understood the purposes of 
the different Moravian establishments at 
Bethlehem, has made it in many particulars 
almost as absurd as parts of Longfellow's 
imaginative poem on Pulaski's Banner. 



40 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



There is no such a jjcrson as an Abbess, 
connected with Ihe " Sister's Houses" of the 
Moravians, in any part of the world. They 
were of course, under the charge of an El- 
dress or Matron. They did not live in se- 
clusion, and although the rules were strict 
in former daj's as regards the association 
with the other sex, they visited their rela- 
tives, received visits, walked out every day, 
and at a proper age got married, if they felt 
so disposed, which most of them did. The 
death-like paleness of the Sisters, existed in 
a great measures in the writer's imagination, 
although it is a well-known fact, that the 
complexions of the inhabitants of mountain- 
ous parts of Korth America, do not become 
tanned by exposure to the weather, like that 
of those who live in the lowlands, and on the 
river and seashores. And in regard to their 
want of exercise, the writer forgets how the 
Sisters worked in levelling the Minister's 
garden. 

The peculiar dress which the women wore, 
was, in reality, one of the fashions of that 
day. Every religious Society in Continental 
Europe had then their own peculiar costume, 
or uniform dress. A fashion, rule of their 
order, or a custom, which is still adhered to, 
even in this, our day, in the United States, 
notwithstanding our republican simplicity 
of dress, by the Quakers, Shakers, and many 
other societies, not forgetting the many singu- 
lar costumes of the different religious orders 
of the Roman Catholic Church. Now, how- 
ever, in America, the Moravians dress, act 
and live as all other reasonable people. I be- 
lieve it is now an admitted fact, that the dress 
worn by the members of the Society of 
Friends, was not adopted by them till after 
the death of William Peun. See Atlantic 
Monthly, October, 1SG8, page 488. 

" My last informed you that we should 
proceed homeward by the shortest course, 
but the pleasing accounts which we heard of 
Bethlehem, greatly excited our curiositj', 
and to gratify it we altered our intended 
route to visit that (eJ-cs(rj'«^j)«rfTf/)'se. On the 
afternoon of the second day from Philadel- 
phia, as we were passing solitarily between 
two overhanging rocks, we suddenly found 



ourselves upon the banks of a winding river, 
and the beauty of the prospect that immedi- 
ately presented itself to view, left us no room 
to doubt that we had arrived at the end of 
our excursion; in fact, Bethlehem was situ- 
ated on the ojjposite side. 

" The view of tills place strikes the traveller 
very agreeably, it is in itself beautiful, and 
the pleasure arising from a view of its beau- 
ties, is not a little heightened by the reflec- 
tion that you have attained the end of a 
very disagreeable riile. 

'■ The town is built in a verdant valley, 
plentifully watered by the Delaware." The 
Lehigh River was originally called the west 
branch of the Delaware. 

'■ The banks of this fresh water river af- 
ford a most romantic spectacle, as they are 
covered to the very water's edge with shrubs 
of myrtle, and other verdure, which shoot 
up in all their natural luxuriancy. The 
almost impenetrable woods on the surround- 
ing hills, serve not only to give an idea of 
an entire seclusion from a wicked world, 
but restrain the eye and fix the attention 
upon the many beauties brought into one 
point of view. I believe there are few who 
reach this spot, but stop some minutes to 
regale the sight, that most delicious of the 
senses. 

" These reflections occurred while crossing 
the river j during this short passage, strictest 
silence was observed, each seeming absorbed 
in the contemplation of the surrounding ob- 
jects. Upon reaching the tavern, we could 
not help congratulating each other upon the 
full completion of our most sanguine expec- 
tations. This building, (the 'Sun Hotel,') 
is neatness itself, it is built wholly of stone, 
even the partitions between the apartments 
are of the same materials, these are plastered 
and whitewashed so exceedingly white, as 
makes looking ujion them painful to the 
eves. The house is divided into a great 
number of rooms for the accommodation of 
travellers. We were attended with a cheer- 
fulness extremely pleasing, and had each 
wish gratified in so obliging a manner as to 
fully compensate for the bad entertainment 
on the road. After a refreshing night's sleep 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



41 



and a social breakfast, our whole party, eon- 
ducted by one of the Ministers of the place, 
went out to view everything worthy of no- 
tice. 

"The town contains about 100 houses, be- 
sides the public edifices, all built of very 
rough stone, in the simplest manner. The 
Church, Single Sisters' house, the Single 
Men's house, and the Minister's house are 
the most striking objects. We first visited 
the Single Sisters'. At the door of their 
house, we were met by the abbess, who with 
the truest politeness, conducted us into every 
chamber; we were much gratified with the 
sight of this temple of industry, each cham- 
ber, which is large and commodious, is set 
apart for some branch of useful manufac- 
tures ; in one were five or six looms, at which 
the sisters were weaving linen of various 
qualities, in others, numbers were carding 
wool, spinning, knitting and making various 
parts of wearing apparel. After looking into 
these rooms, we visited the kitchen and bed- 
rooms; here neatness is most particularly 
observable. The kitchen, where two young 
women were preparing dinner for the whole 
sisterhood, was perfectly cool, clean and 
neat, a number of coppers built in brick, 
serve to dress each day's provisions, which 
are either boiled or baked ; roast dishes I 
found they were utter strangers to. The 
bed-room extends over the whole house, and 
in it are placed about one hundred beds, 
regularly disposed in four ranges, two on 
each side, so as to leave a clear walk in the 
middle; this room has an open window at 
each end, which serve as ventilators; a 
large lamp is suspended from the centre of 
the ceiling, with an opening over it to let 
out the smoke. Two young women watch 
there every night ; the duty is performed in 
rotation, so that each undergoes an equal 
share of fatigue. 

" After your curiosity has been gratified by 
a sight of these apartments, it is their cus- 
tom to lead you into a room, where a number 
of women are busied in embroidery and other 
delicate work ; here they spread before you 
many neat and curious pieces of nuns' (the 



sisters'* work, and so great is the general 
admiration of every thing belonging to this 
enchanting spot, that few depart without 
purchasing something. 

"Such is the Single Sisters' house; neat- 
ness and simplicity are its characteristics, and 
piety and industry distinguish its inhabi- 
tants ; but notwithstanding the pleasure re- 
ceived from the visit, I cannot say that I 
formed a wish to partake of such a life. 

" To the sisters, their luxuriant valley and 
romantic river, seem to have no charms ; the 
want of exercise and continual sedentary 
occupation have given their countenances a 
deathlike paleness. Their dress, though per- 
fectly neat, does not serve to adorn their 
persons. Their habit is a short waistcoat 
which covers the neck, and a petticoat of 
white linen : their hair is carried back from 
the forehead, and covered by a linen cap of 
most unbecoming form; contrived to cover 
the ears, and tie under the chin ; their only 
ornament is s plain stripe of muslin about 
two inches wide, surrounding the head, and 
tied in a small bow behind ; this I call their 
only ornament, for though the caps of the 
single women are tied under the chin with 
a red ribbon, and those of the married with a 
blue, I found that this was not intended as 
an ornament, but merely as a distinguishing 
badge. 

" This particular account of the Sisters' 
house, has anticipated my observations upon 
that of the single men; as they are both 
built upon the same plan, and in general the 
same economy observed ; what we most re- 
marked in the latter, was the absence of that 
extreme neatness so much admired in the 
former. This want of neatness in the men's 
apartments arises principally from the ex- 
clusion of females, and I think, proves the 
advantage, if not the necessity of social in- 
tercourse between the sexes. 

"We made a short visit to the Minis- 
ter's house, there being nothing about it 
that merits special attention, except the gar- 
den; which was laid out on the declivity 
ot a steep hill, but had been made quite 
level by the industry aud indefatigable per- 



42 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



severance of the single sisters; who with 
their own hands raised the lower part many 
feet. 

" Each of the public buildings has a large 
garden where nature maintains her place, 
and suffers no encroachment from her hand- 
maid art. We attended at their devotions 
in the church. This is built with the same 
disregard to ornamental architecture as the 
rest of the town. About twenty paintings 
representing the principal passages in our 
Saviour's life are hung upon the wallsj but 
that it should not appear they were placed 
there with a view to ornament the building, 
they are without frames, even of the sim- 
plest kind. The service was in German, and 
consequently not very edifying to me, but 
the music was excellent; this being, if I 
may be allowed the expression, the language 
of nature, and addressed to the feelings, is 
intelligible to every nation. The church is 
built near the Single Sisters' house, and the 
passage between them enclosed with a very 
high wall that the sisters may go into church 
unobserved. The seats for the men are dis- 
tinct from those of the women; and this 
attention to keep the sexes separate is ob- 
served even after doatli ; for even the bury- 
ing ground is divided into two parts, one for 
the males, and the other for the females. 
This repository of the dead is laid out with 
the most exact uniformity, into beds of seven 
feet in length. It is the custom on the 
death of a member of the society, to place 
the body in a small building at the corner 
of the burying ground, until marivs of disso- 
lution are perceptible, then the body is in- 
terred in one of these beds ; the smallest 
infant being allowed the same space with the 
largest adult, to avoid breaking in upon the 
much loved regularity. Perhaps you have 
no idea of children iu this society ; or the 
distinction between the single and married 
sisters, the keeping of the sexes entirely 
separate, you look upon as an insuperable 
bar to marriage; indeed this is one of their 
most peculiar customs. Their ministers or 
priests rule over them with an unbounded 
sway, and their decisions are regarded as 



infallible, tending to the best. It is the 
custom of the abbess to entjuire of the 
women if any of tiieni wish to marry ; the 
minister does the same with the men. The 
names of the candidates are placed in two 
lists, and the first of each list proposed as 
companions .for life ; if the parties do not 
approve of the proposed match, they have 
a right to dissent, but have no other choice 
till the next is formed. This privilege of 
refusal is seldom exercised. So great is 
the veneration of the commands of their 
superiors, and so firm is their reliance on 
Providence, that they think the persona 
pointed out, must be in every respect best 
suited to them. I am informed that there has 
never been an unhappy marriage. This must 
arise in a great measure from their high 
sense of duty ; for we cannot suppose, that 
persons thus arbitrarily joined can feel any 
love for each other. As soon as a couple is 
married, the society build them a small 
house, and advance some money to enable 
them to maintain a family. Their children 
pass the first years of their life with their 
parents, and are instructed at the public 
school. At a proper age the girls are ad- 
mitted among the single sisters, and the 
boys are apjjrenticed to various trades ; or 
provision is made for them in the Young 
Men's house. 

" Industry is no less a characteristic of the 
men than the women. They have establish- 
ed a brewery for strong beer, which they sell 
at a profit lower down the river ; they have 
a Fulling Mill, and Oil Mill, and most 
handicraft trades are carried on here. They 
are exceedingly ingenious and well versed 
in the principles of mechanics; the water 
works are a proof of this. A stream of water 
turns a wheel with great rapidity, which 
working four forcing pumps, raises a body of 
water into a reservoir more than one hundred 
feet high, from this the water is conveyed 
by leaden pipes into every house in town. 
These useful works were con trit'ed and ex- 
ecuted by a German, one of the society, and 
so simple is the machinery, that tlicy hi^ve 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



43 



been continued free from obstruction, and 
without needing repair, for upwards of thir- 
ty years." 

In this connection the following extract 
made from papers in the office of the Secre- 
tary of the Commonwealth at Harrisburg, 
and read before the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, March If), 1826, may not be 
without interest. 

"Tlie adult unmarried men and boys up- 
wards of 12 years of age, in the settlement of 
the United Brethren, live mostly together in 
a house called *Tlie Oiioir house of the Sin- 
gle Brethren.' That also the adult unmar- 
ried women, and girls upwards of 12 years 
of age, inhabit 'The Choir house of the Sin- 
gle Sisters.' There are also choir houses for 
the Widows and Widowers. 

*' Marriages in the congregation of the Uui- 
ted Brethren are made by general agreement, 
with the advice and approbation of the El- 
ders. Whenever a Brother wishes to marry, 
he signifies his intention to the Elders. If 
they have no objection, his proposal is sub- 
mitted to the Lot. If the question proves 
affirmative, and the Sister proposed, andher 
parents, all give their approbation, the wed- 
ding is performed. 

"At the baptism of children, both the 
Witnesses and Ministers bless the infant 
with laying on of hands, 

"The pedilavium, or washing of feet, is 
used by some agreeably to the command of 



Christ, ■ Ye ought also to wash one another's 
feet.' 

" The most singular custom, is the assemb- 
ling of the congregations in their respective 
burying-grounds on Eastek Monday, at sun- 
rise, when the Litany is performed. 

" The United Brethren are remarkable for 
their honest simplicity of manners, industry, 
economy, and neatness in their habitations ; 
kind and affisctionate to each other, living 
as Brothers and Sisters/ They are consider- 
ed a great acquisition to the Province." 

Au emigrant passing through Bethlehem 
fn 1788, says: 

'* We saw the young females just coming 
out of school, their dress was a short gown 
and petticoat, while their heads were covered 
with sung little white linen caps, giving 
them a very neat appearance. The school 
for the boys was kept entirely distinct, and 
no intercourse was allowed between the sexes, 
except through the intervention of the teach- 
ers. 

" 'The Bethlehem Seminary for Young 
Females,' was becoming quite celebrated, 
and was patronized by many Southern men, 
who sent their daughters there to be educated. 
It was one of the earliest schools established 
for the education of females in America. 

" On leaving this pleasant and well-built 
village, we crossed the Lehigh by a Mope- 
ferry, which was the first of the kind we had 
ever seen." 



44 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 




V>V 









^s^ 



THE SCHNITZ HOUSE, 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER VI. 
The ScHNiTZ House. — The Farmers in Old 
Times. — The Object op the Establisu- 
MENT OF the Moravian Chuech in Am- 
erica. — Eochefodcailt's Description of 
Bethleuem. — The Bethlehem Soutenir. 
— Simplicity op Moravian Life in the 
Last Century.- Music. — Bishop Spangen- 
BEBS. — The Moravian Historical Socie- 
ty. The Fifty Year's Celebration, June 

25, 1792. — The Old Bridge over the Le- 
high, 1792. — Sketch from the A.mei!1can 
Gazetteer. 

! H e wood cut at the head of this chap- 
ter, is a correct representation of the 
" &hnitz Home," so called from the German 
■word, achnitz, to cut, or slice. It is a long, 
one-story log house, plastered over on the 
outside, in imitation of stone, and is still 
standing ; hacli from the street, on the first 
lot east of the "Sister's House," on Church 
Street. It was erected in the early days of 
the settlement, and used hy the Sisters as a 
place to cutand dry ajijiles, which were then 



extensively used in the winter for picn, by 
the inhabitants. There was formerly a large 
orchard of apple trees surrounding the house, 
and in the rear of the" Sister's House." "Willi 
the Germans of Pennsylvania, pics of all 
kinds seem to be considered one of the abso- 
lute necessaries of human life ; they eat them 
at every meal ; as well as cakes, preserves 
and pickels of ail sorts. They also drink 
strong coffee three times a day, and are not 
a nervous people. The Eethlemites make 
many kinds of domestic wines, of a very su- 
perior quality, for family use, of which they 
are justly proud; all the fruits and berries 
of the country are^jressed into service for this 
latter purpose. 

The farmers who first took up the lands 
around Bethlehem, were very poor, not even 
able to buy harness for use on their horses. 
So they used ropes for that purpose, made out 
of their own hemp. Oxen were used to draw 
their wagons, which were made of wood, and 
entirely without using iron, for wheels they 
s.".wed logs cross-ways, and bored holes in 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



45 



the centre for the axles, aud so they came 
into town. The women often came into town 
on horseback, without any saddles on their 
horses, and riding a-straddle, like men. 

The European settlers were few however, 
and thinly scattered around the adjacent 
country. Some of these were Irish, who. 
Bays Bishop Spangenberg, the Moravians 
dreaded more than the Indians. It was by 
them that the Moravians were first called 
Hernhutters. 

Mr. Henry, in his history of Lehigh Val- 
ley, says, that the establishment of the Mo- 
ravian congregations in America, had in 
view the siiiylc object of the propagating the 
gospel among the Indians. No doubt that 
was one of the objects of the Society, but not 
by any means the only one. They were 
desirous of escaping the persecutions in 
Kurope, and were induced to emigrate to 
Georgia. From there they came to Bethlehem 
as stated, and thus it became from its beauti- 
ful position, fine climate, and the rapid in- 
crease of its population, the chief town of the 
Society, and naturally its central station, 
and as the Moravian church was, and still 
is a Mission church for the conversion of the 
heathen, it was from this place that the 
Brethren took their instructions from their 
superiors, and set out to the different mis- 
sions of the Society, on the Upper Lehigh, 
the Susquehanna, aud finally into the dis- 
tant wilds of the Juniata, and the Alleghany 
mountains, as well as the inhospitable re- 
gions of the Ohio. Many of these mission 
posts, " Huts of Grace," as they were called ; 
originally thinly scattered through the wil- 
derness, have become in the present day, 
prosperous and largely populated towns. 

The Duke de Eochefoucault, in his travels 
in America in 1785, volume II., page 397, 
&c., gives the following facts connected with 
the temporal government of the Church in 
Bethlehem, at that time. 

" In 1740, Count Zinzendorf purchased of 
Mr. William Allen, who held of William 
Penu, the district now called Bethlehem, 
with the view of founding there an estab- 
lishment for the Society of the Moravians. 
Although some trees were cut down in 1741, 



it was not until 1742 that the settlement was 
begun. One hundred and forty Moravian 
Brothers and Sisters arrived from Germany 
and settled there. These families were poor, 
had no other dependence but their labor, 
and everything was to be done to form a set- 
tlement in this desert. They lived there in 
one general community, contrary to the rules 
and usages of their Society j but only from the 
necessity of circumstances, which would 
have rendered the general progress of the 
Society more slow, and the situation of the 
individual families more inconvenient, if 
their labors and productions had been divid- 
ed. This deviation from the construction of 
the Unity, (for thus they call the whole So- 
ciety,) was prescribed by the Synod, which 
makes and alters the laws of the Moravian 
people. 

" Thus, under the orders of the chiefs of the 
congregation established at Bethlehem, they 
cleared the woods, made roads, and cultivat- 
ed the lands ; the women spun, wove, made 
their clothes, and prepared their victuals. 
One single will animated the whole, and the 
product of each individual labor served in- 
discriminately to support the whole Brother 
and Sisterhood. The fathers and mothers 
being constantly employed in labor, could 
not, without inconvenience to the communi- 
ty, give their attention to the children. The 
Society therefore, set apart some of the Sis- 
ters to take charge of the whole. The au- 
thority, however, and the superintendence 
of the parents, was neither taken away nor 
diminished. 

" At that time, even, notwithstanding their 
community of goods, the Brethren that re- 
ceived any money from their families or 
friends, had the predisposal of it. If any of 
them invested their property in the common 
stock, it was voluntary, and the effect of a 
zeal and disinterested act, of which there 
were few examples. The Brethren possessed 
of any private property, h.T.d frequently their 
children with them ; they clothed them bet> 
ter, and the care which they took of their 
infancy — a charge considered a relief by the 
Society— was a proof that at Betlilehem the 
children were not, as has been alleged, the 



46 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



property of the community, and that it was 
no part of the constitution to make members 
renounce all private property. 

" In proportion as the settlement advanced 
their labor became less urgent, and the vir- 
tues of man have nearly everywhere the 
same character. The active Brethren killed 
themselves with work, while the idle took 
little trouble. Those who reflected, discov- 
ered whatever fatigue they endured, their 
situation was nowise ameliorated, and that 
industry, the indisputable property of every 
man, afl'orded them not a single advantage. 
EeUection, then had the same eil'ect upon 
the industrious, as natural disposition had 
on the idle ; the ardor for labor no longer 
continued, and the society did not prosper, 
and most of its members were discontented. 
These joint considerations induced them, in 
1762, to change the system of the Society. 
The Society at Bethlehem was now estab- 
lished on the rules of the societies in Europe, 
and, agreeably to the new system, it has 
been regulated since that epoch, as well as 
all the other Moravian congregations estab- 
lished elsewhere in America. By the pres- 
ent ordinances, the communism of property 
is done away in favor of the individuals, it 
only continues as to the government of the 
Society, and exists partially. 

" The territorial property, as well as the 
profits of the tavern, the store, the farms, 
the saw mill, the oil mill, corn mill and 
fulling mill, tha tannery and the dyeing 
manufactory, belong to the Society, which, 
from these funds is enabled to provide for 
the poor, for the payment of debts, and of 
the public taxes. In all other respects every 
Brother enjoys the absolute property of 
whatever he can earn by his labor, be it 
what it may, and of the gifts he may receive. 
Tlie government of the Society is vested in 
the Bishop, the Minister, and the lutendant, 
and the Inspectors, male and female, of the 
diiTerent divisions oi the Society, which are 
five in number ; the young men unmarried, 
the unmarried Sisters, the widows, the mar- 
ried Brethren and Sisters, and the schools. 
The Intendant has the exclusive adminis- 



tration of the property of the Society, but he 
must advise with a committee composed of 
from eight to ten members chosen by the 
Brethren at large ; in the name of the Inten- 
dant they carry on all their transactions, 
grant leases of houses and lands, securities 
for borrowed money, discharges, <tc. All 
the houses, however, erected in the town of 
Bethlehem, and the 4,000 acres belonging to 
it, are not the property of the Society, nor 
even the greater part of them ; they belong 
to the Brethren who have built upon the 
land, for which they pay rent to the Society. 
The amount of this rent is two pence the 
foot in front, by twenty feet in depth. The 
house built by the Brother is his absolute 
property ; he can leave it to his wife or chil- 
dren, in the same way he can his other ef- 
fects, or he can sell it, only he cannot convey 
it but to a Brother who has obtained permis- 
sion from the Directory to buy it, with the 
burthen of the rent attached to it, and which 
perpetually remains. 

" The Directors having the government of 
the Society, must admit those only into their 
territory, who they think will not disturb 
the Society. In the contract of lease made 
by the Intendant with the advice of the 
committee, to those intending to build a 
house, or to those who purchase a house, it 
is always stipulated, that if the proprietors 
shall be desirous of quitting it, and shall not 
find a purchaser who may be agreeable to 
the Society, the Society is to purchase it at 
a price declared by law, which also fixes the 
terms of payment. Garden ground, or land 
in the country, is let at six shillings the 
acre. 

" Besides the government farm appropriat- 
ed to the benefit of the Society, there are six or 
seven smaller farms belonging to it. These 
are let to tenants who pay a third part of 
their produce, and who also pay six shillings 
rent for their garden grounds. These ten- 
ants are all at present Moravians. Some- 
times the farms are let to other persons, only 
the Society must be satisfied as to their 
character and behavior. The town of Beth- 
lehem is inhabited by between five and six 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



hundred inhabitants, all of the Brother and 
Sisterhood." 

In the Bethlehem Souvenir, " a History 
of the rise, progress and present condition of 
the Bethlehem Female Seminary, by Wm. 
C. Eeichel," published in 1858, it is very 
justly remarked, that "the spirit of pious 
simplicity which characterised the social 
and religious regulations of the early Breth- 
ren, while it astonishes us at the present 
day, cannot fail to elicit admiration of their 
honesty of purpose and determination to 
live the life of ' every day' christians. No 
occasion, however triHing.but was sanctitied 
with the ceremonies of religion." 

" In connection with this pastoral sim- 
plicity mentioned, Spangenberg, in describ- 
ing Nazareth farm, in 1740, in his own quaint 
style, says in regard to the Brethren and 
Sisters engaged there, ' Never, since the 
creation of the world, were there made and 
sung such lovely and holy shepherds, plough- 
ing, reapers, thrashing, sjiinners, knitters, 
sewers, washers and other laboring hymns, 
as by these people. An entire farmers' hymn 
book m.'ght be made by them.'" See Ris- 
ler's life of Spangenberg, page 221. 

James Henry, in his sketches of Moravian 
life and character, page 137, writes on this 
subject, that, " When travelling, the Mora- 
vian of patriarchal times had his ' Rehelie- 
der,' or travelling hymns. These, sung in 
the solitude of the chamber, before retiring 
or at rising in the morning, or performed in 
agreeable chorus by several pilgrims, added 
solace to the journey, and if on a mission of 
evangelical labor, assuaged its toils and 
hardships." 

It will be observed that the Moravians are es- 
sential ly a musical people, even at the present 
day; although in the olden times music was 
more generally cultivated and used by them 
than at present. Hymns and music were 
used not only in the church and on all festival 
occasions, but in the family, at meals, in tlie 
fields, the work shop, and while travelling ; 
even yet the good customs in this regard 
have not passed away, and the Wietje fiecfer, 
or cradle hymns, may yet be heard sung by 



the sweet voices of the little ones, in the 
good old town of Bethlehem. 

On the 18th of September, 1792, the venera 
ble, beloved and celebrated Bishop Augustus 
(Gottlieb) Spangenberg, died in the 89th year 
of his age, having been born on the 10th of 
July, 1704. The Bishop was, during twenty 
years of his life, from 1742 to 1702, the vir- 
tual head and superiutcndant of the Mora- 
vian affairs in America ; he was educated for 
the Lutheran Church, and became a Profes- 
sor of Divinity at the University of Halle, 
in 1731, (having received his degree at the 
University of Jena, which he entered in 
1722,) and was discharged the ne.xt year, his 
views in religious matters not being agreea- 
ble to the direction. He then attached him- 
self at once to the Moravian church, and be- 
came Zinzendorf's assistant at Hernhut, and 
finally a Bishop of the Unity, and in influ- 
ence second only to the Count. He was emi- 
nently qualified for the performance of the 
onerous duties devolving on him in the in- 
fant days of the Society in America, during 
the Indian troubles, and in the pecuniary 
difficulties with which the church had at 
first to struggle. 

In a note to page 9, of the history of Naza- 
reth Hall, it is alleged that, " A century 
ago i t was the custom for its Bishops (of the 
Moravian church,) to take official names," 
and a note from Spangenberg to Brother 
Sogers, dated July 19th', 1700, and signed 
" Joseph," is given in evidence to prove tho 
assertion; but no other instance is men- 
tioned, and no other authority adduced for 
the statement. The learned author of that 
book has been led into an error by making 
the peculiar case of Spangenberg, a general 
one. The Moravian Bishops did not as a 
rule, nor even as a common practice, assume 
official names. The case of Spangenberg is 
an exception. He had generally acquired 
among all his Brethren the name of " Jos- 
eph," for the reason, " that he cared so well 
for his Brethren ;" in this way, he became 
generally well known by his Brethren as 
" Brother Joseph ;" and finally assumed it as 
an official name, signing himself simply 



48 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



" Joseph." It was at that time very usual 
for the Brethren to use simply their first or 
given names in addressing each other by 
letter, as it is even now the custom among 
intimate friends. Joseph, is a Hebrew 
name, signifying, " He shall add." The 
name of GotlUth, means in English, God-love. 
In Eitter's history of the Moravian church 
in rhiladelpliia, is a portrait of the eminent 
Bishop, ** Brother Joseph," with a/'^c simile 
of his signature, thus, ** Joaeph, aUae, Angus- 
tiia Gottlieb Spangenherg.'^ 

In the published transacticns of the Mo- 
ravian Historical Society, in the year 1S6S, 
page 72 ; in a note, it is said that the name 
of" Brother Joseph" was given to Spangen- 
berg by Count Zinzendorf, as an affectionate 
appellation, " on account of the excellent care 
he always took of his Brethren." If this is 
BO, it finally disposes of the statement that 
the Bishops of the Moravian church in for- 
mer times took official names. 

The jirinted transactions above referred to, 
are contained in a pamphlet of 80 pages. It 
is the first publication ever issued by the 
Society, which is located at Nazareth. 

In the year 1867, a number of Moravian 
gentlemen met together at Nazareth, in 
Pennsylvania; and formed an association, 
to which they gave the name of " The Mo- 
ravian Historical Society;" having for its 
object the elucidation of the history of the 
Moravian church in America, in particular, 
and the history of the church in general, 
and its missions, wherever situated. 

In the month of November, A. D., 1858, the 
Nazareth congregation of the United Breth- 
ren, presented the Society with a room in 
the old stone mansion known as the " White- 
field House," erected in the year 1743, and 
in this building the Society have ever since 
held their annual and special meetings. 
Nothing can be more interesting or charm- 
ing, than to attend the annual Vesper of the 
Historical Society at Nazareth. The mem- 
bers are accompanied by their wives and 
daughters; all partake of a meal ; and after 
the cakes and coflee, a veritable " love feast," 
historical papers are read, during which the 



men smoke and listen, and the women sew 
or are quietly attentive; many pleasant stor- 
ies of old times are told; and only darkness 
breaks up the happy circle. 

On the 25th of June, 1792, Bethlehem hav- 
ing stood fifty years, or half a century, the 
occasion was celebrated by a " Love Feast," 
and a pyramid was placed in the enclosure 
where the reservoir of the " Sister's House" 
now stands, which was decorated with scar- 
let, coclico, pink, blue and icJtite ribbons, em- 
blematic of all the choirs i n the congregation. 
In the evening a procession, consisting of the 
whole congregation, passed through all the 
streets of the town, accompanied by music. 
The settlement of the town was commenced, 
as is well known, before the 25th of June, 
1842, but the complete organization of the 
congregation as such, dates from that time. 

The Lehigh Bridge Company of Bethle- 
hem was incorporated in the year 1792. The 
bridge then erected was an uncovered struc- 
ture, made of wood, but built in the most 
substantial manner, resting on three stone 
piers, with a side walk, similar to the pres- 
ent ones; for foot passengers; and the old 
rope ferry was then abandoned. The view 
from this old bridge is represented to have 
been impressively beautiful, but few build- 
ings were erected near the stream, none 
were on the south side of the river but the 
" Old Crown Inn ;" so there was nothing to 
obstruct the vision, or to take away the beau- 
ty of the scene. The river, its banks cover- 
ed with verdure; the surrounding hills and 
mountains, covered with the forest trees ; the 
islands, so dear to every Bethlehemite, and 
Bartow's path winding along beside the rip- 
pling waters of the Lehigh, formed a jjicture 
of quiet repose and wild beauty, seldom, if 
ever equalled. Modern improvements have 
partially destroyed, but not entirely eradi- 
cated all traces of the former beauty of the 
scene. The freshet of the Sth of January, 
1841, washed away the old structure, the 
wood work of which had become gray with 
age, and worn with travel. During the same 
year the present covered bridge was built, 
the southern half of which was washed away 
by the freshet of June 5th, 18G2, caused by the 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



49 



breaking of the dams of the Lehigh Naviga- 
tion Company, above Mauch Chunk; heavy 
and continuous rains occurred on the 3rd of 
the month, in the mountains, and the splen- 
did dams used to feed the Lehigh Canal, gave 
way one after another, before the great pres- 
sure of the water, the dam No. 4, at "White 
Haven, being the first to break. The destruc- 
tion of property was enormous, and the loss 
of life very serious. The dams were never 
rebuilt. A very interesting pamphlet was 
printed in 18C3, giving incidents of the fresh- 
ets. That portion of the bridge destroyed 
was soon rebuilt, and the new part roofed 
with slate. 

The American Gazeteer, printed in 1797, 
Bays of Bethlehem : " It is a celebrated set- 
tlement of the Moravians, or United Breth- 
ren, of the Protestant Episcopal church, as 
they term themselves. It is situated on the 
Lehigh River, a western branch of the Dela- 
ware, fifty-three miles northerly from Phila- 
delphia, and eighteen southerly from the 
Wind-f}ap. The town stands partly on the 
lower banks of the Manakes, a fine creek, 
which aftbrds trout and other fish. The 
situation is healthful and pleasant, and in 
the summer is frequented by gentry from 
different parts. In 1787 there were 60 dwel- 
ling houses of stone, well built, and 600 in- 
habitants. Besides the Meeting House, are 
three otlier public buildings, large and spa- 
cious ; one for single Brethren, one for single 



Sisters, and the other for the Widows. The 
literary establishments, as well as the relig- 
ious regulations, here deserve notice. In a 
house adjoining the church, is a school for 
females ; and since 1787, a boarding school 
for j-oung ladies, who are sent here from 
different parts, and are instructed in reading 
and writing, (in the English and German 
tongues,) grammar, arithmetic, geography, 
needle-work, music, &c. The Minister of 
the place has the direction of this, as well as 
the boys' school, which is kept in a separate 
house, where they are initiated in the funda- 
mental branches of literature. Tliese schools, 
especially that for -young ladies, are deser- 
vedly in high repute ; and scholars more 
than can be accommodated, are offered from 
all parts of the United States. 

" There is a genteel tavern at the north 
end of the town, the profit arising from which 
belongs to the Society. There is also a store, 
with a general assortment of goods, an apothe- 
cary's shop, a grist mill, and on the banks of 
the Lehigh, a brewery. 

" The Lehigh Eiver rises in Northampton 
County, Pa., about twenty-one miles east of 
Wyoming Falls, in the Susquehanna Kiver 
and taking a circular course, passing through 
the Blue Mountains, empties into the Dela- 
ware River on the south side of Easton, eleven 
miles northeast of Bethlehem. It runs about 
seventy-five miles," 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OP 




THE FIRST MORAVIAN STORE, 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER VII. 
The First Moravian Store. — Bethlehem ix 
1797, FROM Ogden's Exccn.sioN into Beth- 
lehem AND Nazareth. — The Ancient I.\- 

STITT7TI0NS OF THE BRETHREN'S ChuRCH. 

I HE illustration which heads this chap- 
ter, is a correct representation of the 
fii-Ht slurp belonging to the Moravian congre- 
gation of Bethlehem, eoj)ied from one of il. 
A. Kleekner's photographs. It was origi 
nally kept by William Edmonds, an Eng- 
lishman, and a Moravian, who came to Am- 
erica in 1763. This ancient structure, erected 
in the substantial style of tlie last century, 
is still standing, and is situated on Market 
Street, immediately opposite to the western 
gate of the old Graveyard, on the north side 
of the Street: no information can be obtained 
as to the time when it was built, but it must 
have been during the earlier days of the 
settlement of the town, as the " ncio store," 
now the Eagle Hotel, which was the second 
building occupied as a store by the Society, 



was erected in 17S4. Christian R. Hecke- 
welder was the store-keeper after the remo- 
val, for many years ; then, Owen Rice, 
senior, had charge, and was succeeeded by 
his son, Owen Rice, junior. In IS22 the 
store was removed to the building now oc- 
cupied by thefirmof Wolle, Krause & Erwin. 
the successors of Augustus "Wolle. to \\-honi 
the church in IS38, sold the stock and biisi- 
ness. 

In the " first store," the salesroom was in 
the western apartment of the building, jho 
house being a double structure,) and can be 
easily recognized in the cut by its large win- 
dow, with diamond-shaped panels of glass. 
Some of the nails and spikes used in the 
erection of the store, and which were taken 
out in altering it into a dwelling house, have 
been preserved as curiosities, from their 
immense size. The house, judging from the 
thickness of its walls, would have made a 
good fort in the olden times ; it will now 
make a good stone quarry, for it has been 
allowed to go to ruin, although situated on 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



51 



one of the finest building sites in Bethlehem. 
It is a quaint old building, very picturesque 
and beautiful. 

The old store room is now occupied tem- 
porarily as an office, by Captain Owen Luc- 
kenbaek, Collector of U. S. Internal Revenue 
for tlie 11th District of Pennsylvania. 

The dwelling house next door to the east, 
adjoiui'ig the " old store," was built in 
17.50, and was the first building erected on 
Market Street. It was the residence of Timo- 
thy Ilorsfield, an English Moravian, a noted 
and influential man in his day, a Justice of 
the Peace, and an eccentric character. His 
remains repose in the northwestern part of 
the old Cemetery, in the third grave from 
the west path, in the first row. On the north- 
ern side of the second walk from Market 
Street; and upon the tombstone the following 
words are inscribed. 

TIMOTHY H0R3FIELD, 

Born April 25, 1708, 

IN LIVERPOOL, OLD ENGLAND, 
Departed March 9, 1773. 

Some of his descendants, (great-grand- 
childreu, by the name oflCiimmer,) are at this 
time, living in Bethlehem, and his old resi- 
dence is now occupied by the widow of the 
late John Oerterjandis a substantial old 
two-story stone house, with massive walls 
like the old building next door. 

The following graphic account of Bethle- 
hem and its inhabitants, is copied from an 
old work now out of print, entitled, " ^ii 
Excursion into Bethlehem and Nazareth, in 
Peunsi/tvtinia, in the year 1799, with a succinct 
Hiato't/ of the Societi/ of the United Bretlren, 
commonly called Moravians, by John C. Ogden, 
a Presbyter in the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the United States, printed by Charles Cist, 
ATo. 104 North Second Street, near the corner of 
Race Street, Philadelphia, 1800." 

The writer eays " The town of Bethlehem 
is approached through a large wood, and we 
beheld it with agreeable surprise, at some 
distance from the summit and slope of high 
grounds, which are formed parallel to two 
rivers or streams. The bridge, built in 1791, 
across the Lehigh, being out of repair, it was 



needful to pass the ford, which is safe and 
easy. The flat grounds open a way to the 
hill, which is ascended by two principal 
streets, the road being adorned by trees. A 
large and acceptable inn was reached before 
the setting of the sun, and an interesting 
chain of objects presented to call forth curi- 
osity and enquiry on our part. 

"A venerable man, one of the fathers of 
this town, is devoted chiefly to attendance 
upon strangers, that the hours of business 
among the inhabitants may not be unneces- 
sarily disturbed by visitants, or the stranger 
be under undue restraint and embarrassment 
for want of a guide who would give full in- 
dulgence to a prudent curiosity. 

" The inn is a stone building, with four 
large rooms on the first, second and third 
floors. Those on the second and third floor, 
are in part sub-divided into two small, and 
one large room. In this way, parties or 
gentlemen with servants, are accommodated 
almost as separate families. Fifty persons 
may be quartered here conveniently. 

" Mr. Thomas indulged us with his com- 
pany around the village. This benevolent 
attendant upon visitors is possessed of a large 
share of that primeval simplicity which be- 
comes an Israelite indeed. He is saluted 
with a smile, and soft word of affection, under 
the paternal title of Dad'ly. The morning 
after our arrival, he introduced me to the 
Bishop, an aged grave personage, of great 
suavity of manner, such as embellish a father 
in the Church, and become that primitive 
sincere Christianity, which is professed by 
this Society. Assuming no pomp, he appears 
to live only to do good, and make others 
happy. His residence is in the Congrega- 
tional House, devoted to the Clergy, and 
united to the Chapel. Being a widower, his 
daughter is mistress of the family. His an- 
swers to enquiries were made with frankness 
and very acceptably. These related to the 
foundation, principles and economy of the 
Brethren, and the general state of their afi'airs 
throughout America. 

" It appears that this is a branch of the 
Greek Church, which has preserved Episco- 
pal succession,withcare and circumspection 



52 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



holJing an union with their Synods abroad. 
Three Bishops reside in the United St^ates. 
This person's name is Ettwine. 

" Obtaining permission to visit him when- 
ever liis time would permit, we parted. Kot, 
however, before he had favored us with a 
view of the Chapel, and a contiguous Hall. 
The first is a plain arched room, furnished 
with paintings upon canvass, between the 
windows. These present the most distin- 
guished events in the history of our Lord, 
beginning with the visitation of the Angel 
to Mary, and the Nativity, and ending with 
the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. 

" The seats for the attendants are movable 
and divided into two parcels, one for the 
men and another for the women. No jiomj), 
no display of pride, ostentation or wealth, 
are attemjjted. An organ is in the gallery, 
and other instruments of music are often 
joined with it ou festivals. 

" The second apartment was a Hall adorn- 
ed with portraits, a half length of Zinzen- 
dorf, and about twenty of the most distin- 
guished ministers and missionaries of this 
fraternity, who have served among them, 
from their first establishment in America. 
Portraits of some of the wives of these de- 
ceased Ministers, who had attended them in 
their missions, are also seen in this Hall. 

" From these scenes we passed into the 
house devoted to the single sisters. One of 
them being called to attend us, we saw their 
habitation. They have rooms in this ' Sis- 
ter's House,' of about twenty feet square, in 
which six or eight women malie their resi- 
dence by day. The employments of spin- 
ning, reeling of cotton, embroidery, painting 
and schooling, are in separate rooms. In 
the needle worli they excel in figure and 
shades, both with silk and cotton. 

" The Chapel of this choir has an organ 
and several pieces of instrumental music, 
which are played upon by the Sisterhood at 
their devotions. Indeed, in almost every 
room we saw some musical instrument, an 
organ, harpsichord, or piano-forte. These 
are in many private families in this settle- 
ment and other villages. 



" Devotions are attended every morning. 
An Eldress presides and ofiiciates. She 
sometimes delivers a lecture upon piety and 
morals. We were permitted to see the dor- 
mitory, in which forty of these women sleep 
in an upper story. This is a large, lofty, 
airy room, with a lamp suspended in the 
centre, which burns during the night; over 
it is a ventilator in the wall, which causes 
the circulation of fresh air. 

" Before we left this house, we visited a 
room called the Store, in which are deposited 
upon shelves, and in large drawers, collec- 
tions of the specimens of female industry, 
which they constantly vend. 

" Our design was to have seen the Female 
School, erected for, and devoted to the in- 
struction of children from other parts of the 
States, and the West India islands ; with the 
girls of the fraternity, who are of the same 
age. But the accustLmed hour for this priv- 
ilege had not arrived, and the friendly at- 
tendant took me to the great reservoir or 
conduit, which receives the water from the 
machinery at the bottom of the hill, and 
conveys it by pipes under ground, to many 
public places. 

" In a building formed as a pyramid, 
about fifty feet in height, we saw the pipes 
which convey water to the tavern, the con- 
gregation. Sister's, Widow's, Brother's, and 
several other houses. We ascended by lad- 
ders to the upper part of this edifice, and 
saw the summit to which the water was, and 
yet might be conveyed. The constant cur- 
rent prevents freezing in the winter. 

" From thence we went to the Common 
School for boys, who are under the care of 
masters in a house adjoining that of the 
Brothers. These children are taught read- 
ing, writing, arithmetic, and accounts, as 
well as the catechism, and music connected 
with the religion and devotion. 

" Ournext visit was to the Brothers' House, 
which is but a counterpart to that of the Sis- 
ters'. Its hall for prayers, apartments for 
tradesmen, and a dormitory, are in diflerent 
stories of this building. They have their 
meals togetlier, in general, some take their 
dinners only at the common table. Ap- 



B E T H L E n E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



58 



prentices frequently board with their mas- 
ters iu the town. They all sleep in the com- 
mon dormitory, and every one in a separate 
bed. 

'^ Their morning and evening devotions 
are under the direction of a single Brother 
or a clergymen. The office of Warden, and 
that of this clergymen, are often united iu 
one person, when the number of inhabitants 
in such houses is small, as is at present in 
Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz. AH boys 
from the age of twelve, reside here, as well 
as all the unmarried men, unless the cir- 
cumstances of a par.ent require the presence 
of his children. 

" From a walk on the top of this house we 
were entertained with a view of the gardens, 
neighboring fields, mountains, and the rivers 
Lehigh and Manakasy. The mountain in 
the rear descending gradually to the lower 
grounds, and heightening the view by its 
verdure. 

" The variety of walks, rows of trees, and 
the plenty with which the gardens and 
meadows were stored, displayed taste, in- 
dustry, and economy. To preserve the banks 
the common willow is planted, and not suf- 
fered to grow to a great height. 

"The Manakasy is crossed by four bridg- 
es, for the convenience of the gardens and 
other places, besides two others, one above 
and another below the road and gardens. The 
sloping banks formed by nature, and the 
walks by which we mount the hill, prepared 
by labor, join their varieties to convert this 
fertile spot into the appearance of a pleasure 
garden. 

" In a plain gallery or summer house on 
the side of this hill, built for the shelter of 
the children, who may be permitted to re- 
create themselves in a rainy or sultry day, 
was an aged missionary busy in preserving 
certain seeds and medical herbs; retired from 
the labors of hia functions for many years, 
among the Indians, he resides iu a part of 
the Congregation House. 

"The hour being convenient for visiting 
the Girls' School, so much celebrated, a 
pleasing groupe appeared in different rooms, 



under the care of their tutresses, where 
they learn reading, writing, arithmetic, em- 
broidery, drawing and music. 

" Since the applications to receive pupils 
from abroad have become so frequent and 
numerous, a new building has been erected 
for their use, upon a similar model with the 
Sister's House. A small court yard or grass 
plot is between these buildings. In the rear 
of this is another small enclosure, which 
forms a broad grass walk, and is skirted on 
each side by beds devoted to flowers, which 
the girls cultivate as their own. 

" In the vicinity of the Chapel is a Corpse 
House, designed to receive the body previ- 
ous to the sepulchre, in order to relieve 
the poor, and those whose houses are small, 
or when the deceased fell a prey to some in- 
fectious disorder. After this, iu suitable 
weather, it is attended with great solemnity 
to a grave yard upon the summit of a hill. 

" That neatness and decency which mark 
everything here, are conspicuous in the 
place of burial. It is surroujided partly 
with a stone wall, towards the street, where it 
cannot be enlarged, partly with a neat 
wooden fence, on those sides where it may 
be extended from time to time. The graves 
are laid out in perfect order, and each forms 
a flat hillock. The grave stones are about 
fourteen inches square, and present only 
the name, age, and native country of the 
persons, without any other monumental epi- 
taphs or ornaments. This stone lies upon 
the grave. The departed members of the 
different choirs or orders are buried together ' 
in separate rows. The funerals are attended 
with great decorum. The females are dressed 
in white, and black is not worn as mourning. 

" My guide, Mr. Thomas, brought for mj' 
amusement, Mr. Brailsford's experimental 
dissertations on the chemical and medical 
properties of the Nicotiana Tubaccum of Lin- 
uaits, commonly known by the name of To- 
bacco. 

"This disposition to oblige, has made Mr. 
Thomas very dear to all who are acquainted 
with him. In the Bishop's apartment in the 
Brothers' and Sisters' Houses, in the schools, 
and among the inhabitants and strangers h« 



54 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



i.-5 saluted by all, with the greatest respect 
ami aflection. In the girls' school, in par- 
ticular, he was received with peculiar atten- 
tion by the instructresses ana pupils. Upon 
the visits of their parents, he escorts them, 
that they may not pass the streets alone. 
This he punctually observes iu the evenings. 
" The cloistered life and single state of the 
nuns in the Roman Catholic countries have 
been subjects of many remarks. The insti- 
tutions here are not of that nature, as the 
Women marry, and the single sisters walk 
abroad and visit their friends and neighboi-s 
when they think proper. 

*' The instructresses are treated with due 
respect. All females are educated by them, 
but all do not leave their fathers' houses, 
and families, to enter the Sisters' House as 
residents. 

'■ At one end of the room, in which we saw 
the portraits of Zinzendorf, the ministers 
and missionaries, a painting on canvass is 
hung, which presents the divine Saviour in 
the clouds, attended by angels, descending 
from the superior regions, and surrounded 
by the various converts among the heathen, 
who were the first fruits of the Brethren's 
missions. 

'•'Among the varied enjoyments of this 
settlement, is a pleasant walk ou the banks 
of the river Lehigh. Nature has furnished 
a shade by means of the trees which grow 
near the margin. But this is improved by 
a row of locust trees between them and the 
road or walk. Thus, a thick shade is made 
• for almost the whole day. Seats are placed 
for rest, and to enable the visitors to view 
the river at leisure. An island also assists 
to give beauty and variety, as well as to 
afford a retired bathing place. Xot far from 
these seats, and in full view, is a large bridge, 
supported by piers of stone, and some farm 
houses on the opposite shore. Canoes are 
stationed here, for conveying such as wish 
to visit the island, which is frequently done. 
" Near the river is a large brew-house, and 
l>athing-room, devoted to the female schools. 
This last is surrounded and sheltered by 
trees in every direction. No one goes into 
the water without suitable bathing clothes. 



and attendants. A clear stream, convenient 
shoal and bottom render the place safe and 
useful. 

" At some distance in the rear, behind the 
trees, is a distillery and saw mill, whose 
works are set in motion by tlie small stream 
of the Monakasy. The mechanism of these 
works is not peculiar. 

" The Widows' House, we were told, was 
conducted upon the same plau with those of 
the single brethren and sisters. Retired 
from the world and in the decline cf years, 
their quiet is seldom disturbed by the visit 
of strangers. This is signified as their wish. 
'■ The following morning we visited the 
more laborious employments in this colony, 
such as those of the grist, oil, fulling, hull- 
ing, snuff and bark mills. 

" These works are erected under the banks 
west of the town, upoii the waters of the Mon- 
akasy, whose stream is not large, but the 
water is husbauded with great care, as it 
passes through the various reservoirs, pent 
stocks and wheel works ; the waters of this 
stream decrease yearly. 

" The spring which furnishes the town is 
at the foot of this hill, and enclosed within 
a small stone vault or cellar. It affords a 
redundancy of water, which is raised to the 
height of one hundred and twenty-five feet, 
by forcing pumjjs, which are in constant 
movement, by means of a small water wheel 
supplied from the Manakasy. The main. 
tube which conveys the water is of lead, and 
of the diameter of four inches. It is so cold 
that the hand cannot rest upon it but for a 
few seconds. 

'• The brewery is a large building, not far 
from the river and bridge. It furnishes two 
kinds of beer, which are purchased by the 
Inhabitants of the neighboring settlements. 
" While the society of the Brethren were 
few in number, and a combination of labors 
and interests were needful to make settle- 
ments, property was held in common. This 
rule is now broken down in part, and indi- 
viduals may follow their private and sepa- 
rate business, retain a station with the 
Brotherhood, and receive the benefits re- 
sulting from the public property, and public 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



55 



institutions, according to known and estab- 
lished rules. They appear to be a prosper- 
oua, but not a rich people. 

*' The "Widows' House is more immediately 
the object of public care. Forty are in it at 
present. Many of them were the wives of 
the Ministers aud Missionaries. Funds are 
connected with this institution, which arise 
from deposits of a certain sum, paid annually 
by their late husbands, and as a fee at en- 
tering into the order of ministers. 

" These women are industrious, and treated 
with great respect. Making Bethlehem the 
asylum for aged ministers, their wives, chil- 
dren and widows, affords an opportunity 
for gaining information from every quarter, 
aud explanations of facts and events con- 
nected with the general welfare. 

" Seasons are appropriated to the reading 
of letters and reports, from every part of the 
world, in order to cultivate a general regard 
for every branch of their church. 

" The afternoon being pleasant, I visited 
the island above the bridge. It is not large, 
but affords fine walks and an area for exer- 
cise, as well as seats and shelters for visitors. 
Tea parties sometimes select this for an ex- 
cursion on a pleasant day. The locust trees 
are planted here to assist in forming shade. 

"It may contain twelve acres, and is 
capable of receiving many improvements 
which wealth and fancy might suggest and 
form for embellishment. A small school of 
boys with their preceptor, were on a ramble 
here, after their hours of study. Walking 
appears to be the principal recreation for all 
ages aud both sexes. On our return to the 
main land, we met another party from tlie 
female school, with their tutresses, walking 
in the gardens on the banks of the Lehigh. 

" This evening we went to devotions at the 
Chapel. Previous to the arrival of the min- 
ister, a voluntary was played upon the organ. 
While this was doing, the Bishop came and 
took his seat under the gallery, at the head 
of a number of elderly men, some of whom 
had been missionaries. This appeared to be 
the only seat of distinction for him and the 
clergy. 
" We were placed as strangers on a similar 



seat, next the wall, on the right hand of th > 
minister. One half of this chapel is devoled 
to men, and the other to women. Each 
choir or fraternity, and sisterhood, sit to- 
gether. The children, both boys and girls, 
are placed in the seats in front of their res- 
pective sexes. 

" The minister upon reaching his seat 
near a table, opposite the middle aisle, gave 
out a psalm in German, line by line, which 
was sung by the whole congregation. He 
then read a chapter in German, out of the 
Gospel, and a second hymn was sung, ac- 
companied also by the organ, and the as- 
sembly was dismissed with a benediction. 
The whole congregation stood until the min- 
ister left the Chapel. He was followed by 
the Bishop and other old men, and then the 
congregation at large, the men passing out 
at one door and the women at the other. 
The gravity, decorum and melody in this 
place are more easily imagined than describ- 
ed. 

" In the shop of the barber, who is also a , 
shoemaker, were glass globes filled with 
water. In the evenings they are hung 
around a lamp, according to the number 
who want light. This increases the bright- 
ness occasioned by the lamp, the glass and 
water, equal almost to the light of day. 
These globes are used by the stocking weav- 
ers and other mechanics, and by such as 
sew by night. 

•■' In the public buildings and most other 
houses, we find German stoves, made of tile, 
which are in general use. Some are totally 
formed of tile, and others are part of cast 
iron. These last are in greatest esteem oa 
all accounts, as they are not so liable to bo 
injured by putting in of wood by careless 
persona ; the tiles upon the top are so placed 
as to form a species of flue, in perpendicular 
and horizontal forms, which retains the 
heat, while it circulates longer, and heats a 
room more pleasantly and more durably 
than sheet iron. 

" In the building of the potter who make.^ 
the tile for this stove, he was employ.?d in 
making cheap pipes of clay, which are in 



56 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



great use among the Germans, and ought to 
be extended for the purpose of putting an 
end to the importation of those articles. 

" On Sunday I attended divine worship in 
the Chapel, and had an opportunity care- 
fully to observe the mode of worship. Di- 
vine service began at nine o'clock. The 
members of the Society and different choirs 
were j^resent, and in their respective seats. 
According to au universal practice, the or- 
ganist played a voluntary previous to the 
arrival of the minister, and beginning with 
their church litany. This compendium of 
devotions is not unlike that of the English 
church, but bears a greater affinity to the 
Lutheran, it is composed of short sentences, 
versicles, and responses read or sung alter- 
nately by the minister and congregation, 
the responses made with the aid of the organ 
and singers. 

" The congregation appeared iu plain hab- 
its, the minister in his accustomed garb, 
without gown, robe, or surplice. The women 
were generally dressed in white, and different 
colored badges distinguished the respective 
orders or choirs. All of them wear a white 
cap, and under the ehiu a ribbon. That of 
the widows is whiter of married women blue, 
and the single sisters pink or red. 

"After the celebration of this litany, the 
congregation retired for the space of an half 
hour, when the bell was rung, which was 
the signal for the attendance of the children 
and schools upon a service in English. This 
was introduced by the organ and a psalm, 
fallowed by a sermon, and succeeded by 
another psalm. 

" The female school now took the seats gene- 
rally occupied by the single sisters, and the 
sermon was principally addressed to youth. 
After this the children gave place and took 
possession of the seats at the further end of 
the Chapel, and those who were present be- 
fore the litany, with others, came to attend 
offices, which were in German. The order 
was au hymn, prayer, sermon, psalm, and 
benediction. 

" This Society observes the accustomed 
festivals and solemn days of the church. 
Certain meetings are peculiarly set apart for 



reading a lesson out of the bible. After the 
sermon the meeting is concluded with the 
Lord's prayer, au hymn, and the usual bless- 
ing. 

" Sunday is entirely devoted to religion. 
In the afternoon communications from dis- 
tant congregations were read, and in the 
evening a sermon was delivered by a. minis- 
ter about to set out on a mission. 

" Discourses are delivered from time to 
time, at these meetings, to married people, 
widowers, widows, single brethren, single 
sisters, and the children. 

All the congregations call themselves The 
Unitae Fratrum, or Protestant United Breth- 
ren of the Augustan Confession. They re- 
ceive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and 
New Testament, as the only standard, both 
of the doctrine and practice of the Unity. 

" The first emigrants into England and 
America, removed from Moravia, from 
whence the have commonly obtained the 
name of Moravians." 

It would not be within the scope of a work 
like the present, to go into any details re- 
garding the government of the Ch'''ch, their 
community of goods, and the reason there- 
for, in the early days of the settlement of 
Bethlehem ; but the foregoing extracts have 
been made to give a general insight into the 
manners, habits and customs of the commu- 
nity of the Brethren in those ancient times. 
Many radical changes have since then been 
made iu all these matters, but few of the 
old customs have been preserved entirely 
unchanged, and in manner of living, and 
habits of life, and in dress, the members of 
the Society, in no wise differ from other peo- 
ple of our day in America. 

Of the ancient institutions of the Church 
in Bethlehem, only the Widows' and Sisters' 
Uouses remain iu operation ; and it is to be 
hoped that they will ever be continued as 
homes for the aged single sisters and widow- 
ed mothers of the Brethren, where, safe and 
secure from the cold charity of the world, 
they may live iuquieteomfort, and pass their 
delining years in peace, happiness and con- 
tentment, carefully guarded and cherished. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



67 




THE MORAVIAN CHURCH, 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER Yin. 

DeSCRIPTION OF THE LaRGE MORAVIAN ChURCH, 
ERECTED IN 1S03. — ThE BetHLEHEM ARCHI- 
VES. — TheGemein Hads, or Congregation 
Hodse. — The First Moravian Church in 
Bethlehem. — The Old Chapel, or Second 
Church. — The Old School, or the First 
Moravian Seminart for Females. — The 
Official Seal of the Church of the 
United Brethren. — The Addition to the 
Old School. — " The Sisters' House." — 
The " Widows' Hodse." — Origin of the 
Sisters' Houses. — Marriage by Lot. — 
Lieut. Aubert's Opinion.— Explanation 
OP the Lot. — Account of it in the His- 
torical Collections cf New Jersey. — 
The " Great Marriage Act" in Bethle- 
hem, April 20, 1757. — Miss Mortimer's 
Novel of the Marrying by Lot. — Mar- 
ried Women, and Ancient Customs. — Re- 
marks IN Stroud's History of Pa. — Act 
OF Parliament of 20 George 2nd, C. 
44, for the Naturalization op Foreign 
Protestants, Ac. 



his chapter is illustrated with aline 
view of the large and handsome Mo- 
ravian Chui-ch, situated at the corner of Main 
and Church Streets, and the Oemein Haus, 
taken from an old drawing found among the 
papers of an old inmate of the " Sisters' 
House," lately deceased. Sister Sally Hors- 
ficdd. In the drawing, the roof of the church 
is represented as it was originally construc- 
ted, but which was afterwards altered to its 
present form, as it leaked during all rain 
storms. The erection of the church was 
commenced in 1803, as is set forth on its 
vane, but it was not completed till 1S06, 
when it was said to be the largest house 
for religious worship in Pennsylvania. The 
cost of the edifice was $210,000 ; and in 
1803, when it was begun, the community 
had only a population of 580 souls. It is 
the third building in which the Moravians 
Iiave held their religious services in Bethle- 
hem. From the centre of the roof rises 
a belfry, containing a fine toned bell, the 
cupola is surmounted by a spire, the base 



58 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



of the belfry is occupied by a clool; wliicb 
strikes tlie hours and the quarters. In 
the eastern end of the building are seve- 
ral large apartments, one of which is for the 
use of the Ministers of the chureli, and in 
anotlier there are preserved portraits of Count 
Ziuzendorf, and other celebrated Fathers of 
the church, and their wives, together with 
the historical records relating to the Society, 
the church, and the town. In the centre of 
the building is the auditorium, with apuljiit 
at the eastern end, and in a gallery at the 
western end there is a fine organ, with am- 
ple room for the singers, and several rows of 
seats for thecongregation, under this gallerj- 
are several rooms, used in preparing coffee 
fcjT the " Love Feasts ;" in them can be seen 
some antique chairs and tables, that have 
done the church some service. 

The Moravians of Bethlehem have care- 
fully preserved all the records relating to 
the settlement of the town, as well as all 
books, papers and documents regarding the 
history of the Church, and its missions ; 
these precious records are stored in a large 
room in the second story of the eastern por- 
tion of the large church just described, the 
apartment has a lofty arched ceiling, with 
four windows to admit the light ; on one side 
of the room is the shelving which holds the 
library, estimated at about 2,000 volumes, 
of old, rich, rare, aud carious works, all 
bearing u])nn the history of the " diitas 
Frutruiii." Those books are of inestimable 
value. Here are to be found all the publica- 
tions of the Society ; a full collection of the 
writings of Count Ziuzendorf, the Liturgies 
of the church, and the hymus used at differ- 
ent periods. A rare set of old Bibles, in 
several different languages, numerous works 
of the Fathers of the church of the United 
Brethren, and many valuable records relat- 
ing to the History of Pennsylvania, aud the 
treaties with the Indians. There is a lar"o 
folio edition of the Sacra Biblia, in the Ger- 
man language, printed in Cologne, in 1630. 
But one of the most valuable works in the 
whole collection, is a thick little hymn book 
in English, bound in red morocco, with 



gold edges ; once the property of the Baron- 
ess Benigna de Watteville, Zinzendorf's 
eldest daughter. There is also a rare old 
quarto hi'nin book, in good preservation, 
which was jirinted in ItiOG, " B?/ the Eldcrt 
and servaiitB ftf the Churches of the Brethren in 
Bohemia, Moravia and Poland ;" on one of the 
fly-leaves is the following entry, " This book 
our dear Brother Paul Muesster, when he 
left all and fled for the Gospel's sake fi-om 
his fatherland, Moravia, in 1 729, brought to 
Hernhutj strapped uj)on his back, deeming it 
the greatest treasure which he owned. At 
Hernhut he gave it, to Anna Nitschmann, 
(the celebrated Deaconess of Moravian His- 
tory,) who presented it to Anna Joanna 
Seidel,) the wife of the Rev. C. F. Seidel,) 
from her Paul Muenstcr again obtained it, 
when he had come again to this place, (Beth- 
lehem,) and at his death bequeathed it to 
our Church Library. He entered into the 
joy of his Lord on the 4th day of October, 
1792. On the title page is the autograph of 
A. C. Nitschmann." 

But the most valuable and interesting of 
all the records to the Bethlemite, are the 
Diaries of the church, kept since the year 
1742, written with great minuteness by the 
Ministers, giving a history of the Cliureh 
affairs, of the town, and of the whole coun- 
try, from day to day. Similar diaries have 
been kept in all the -Moravian churches, 
missions, aud settlements in America, from 
their earliest origin. 

On one side of the library are neat closets, 
in which are kept with great care, many 
valuable and original letters and documents. 
-Those of the Revolutionary period, from 
General Washington, and others in authority, 
during the time that the " Brethren's House" 
and other dwellings in Bethlehem, were 
used as the "General hospital of the Ameri- 
can Army," give great praise to the Breth- 
ren for their attention to the sick and wound- 
ed soldiers, and are very interesting to the 
general reader, as well as extremely grati- 
fj'ing to the members of the Moravian 
Church. 

The Gemein JIuiifif or more j)roperly, '• The 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



59 



Congregation House, "is situated at the corner 
of Cedar Alley and Church Street, immedi- 
ately in the rear of the large church, and to 
the east of it. The corner stone of this, the 
second house, (and now the oldest,) in Beth- 
lehem, was laid September 28th, 1741, and 
the building was completed the following 
year. 11 is a log-house, that is, it is built of 
hewn logs; it is two-stories high, with a steep 
roof, with two stories of garrets, and was for- 
merly plastered over on the outside, with a 
heavy coating of mortar, made of lime and 
sand, and lined in imitation of stone, but in 
18GS, this coating was removed, and clap- 
boarding substituted, much improving the 
looks of the building. 

The Oeiitcin Hmis was erected as a dwelling 
place for the Ministers and their families, 
and is still xised for that jjurposc. Fallier 
Nitschman was the master builder, as he 
was of the '• First House." He is sometimes 
called the founder of Bethlehem, wliicli is an 
error, as his nej^hew. Bishop Nitschman, was 
the founder, having been sent out from Eu- 
rope e-ipressly for that purpose, by the 
chureli authorities at Ilernhut. 

An old writer says : " The course of the 
Gemein was love and simjilicity. Pride did 
not exist, and hence wants were few. The 
table was supplied with what they had, and 
what things they had not, they longed not 
to get; all were alike in the congregation. 
"When the grandfather of doctor Huebener 
came to Bethlehem, he had to cross the Le- 
high, and he hailed a person on the other 
side, who was watering linen on the bleach, 
(then liuen was worn altogether,) the jierson 
came and took him across, it proved to be ' 
the noted Bi'other Petkus Boehlkr, who 
tended the bleach; all were required to be 
busy, he, as the minister of the congregation, 
set a good example to the others." 

The first Moravian Church in Bethlehem, 
was a large room on the second floor of the 
" Gemein Haua," and was called " Der Saal," a{- 
terwa,Tds," SerKleineSaal." Its low ceiling 
was sujjported by four wooden pillars, whicli 
are still to be seen in the partition walls of 
the four rooms into which it has been divi.i- 



ed. For nine years the congregation held 
their services in that room ; and it was there 
the first Indian convert Dnvid, a Mohican, 
was baptised on the 16th of September, 1742. 
His remains repose in the old graveyard, 
where his tombstone can be seen, in the first 
compartment allotted to the men. 

On the 19th of September, 1742, the corner 
stone of an enlargement of the " Gemein 
Haus" was laid, and the addition completed 
in 174.1. 

On the 5th of April, 1751, the town having 
a population of 200 souls, the community 
began the stone addition to the " Gemeia 
Ilaus," now known as the " Old Chapel." 
The first fioor contained a new hall for the 
" married couples," the second floor being 
the chapel. The large buttresses of masonry 
on the outside of the building were put up 
at llic time of the erection of the edifice, and 
not since, as is generally supposed. The 
dedication of this, the second Moravian 
Church in Bethlehem, took place July 10th, 
1751, the ceremonies were performed by 
Bishop Nitschman, the building having been 
entirely completed. In the afternoon, at 1 
o'clock, a general "Love Feast" was cele- 
brated. Love feasts were held every Satur- 
day in those times. 

From May 10th, 1806, until 1815, the " Old 
Chapel" was used by the Boarding School 
for females, as a place to hold tlie exami- 
nations, exhibitions and daily worship. It 
was next used as a library, and a j^lace for 
keeping the archives of the church; and 
afterwards as a concert room by the " Betlile- 
hem Philharmonic Society;" and finally, 
in 1856, restored to its original purpose, a 
place for worship, and became then called, 
" The Old Chapel." In 1864, it was renovat- 
ed, enlarged and improved, as it now ap- 
pears ; and on Sunday, April 2nd, 1S05, it 
was re-dedicated by the Eev'd Edwin de 
Schwinitz, to the worship of God. 

The "Old Chapel," whenfirst erected, was 
provided with an organ, and at a later day, 
its walls were adorned by many interesting 
paintings, the works of the Moravian artist 
IliiDT, representing incidents in the life of 



60 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



our Saviour. These valualile paintings for 
some unknown reason, were afterwards sold 
by the Eev'd Mr. Cunow. 

Adjoining the " Old Chapel," immediately 
to the east, is the stone structure known as 
" The Old School," or the first Moravian 
Seminary for females, the erection of which 
was commenced in the year 1745, and com- 
pleted in the year 1746. It had a door and 
two windows on the first story, and three 
windows in the second, fronting the open 
green space, in which now stands one of the 
old water-hoxes emi:>loyed for supplying the 
town with water, and which is still used. The 
lower floor of the building contained a kitchen 
for the " Married Couples," and " Single 
Brethren;" and a dining-room for the married 
people, who all took their meals at a common 
table. The upper floor was occupied by the 
married folks. 

On the 0th of June, 1740, the belfry was 
completed in its present form. The base of 
the turret was occupied by a clock, made by 
AiiffiofiiB Ncisser, of Germantown, Pennsyl- 
vania; showing outside a brass face. In the 
cupola hung three bells, cast by Samuel 
Powell, one struck the hours, the others the 
quarters. The gilded emblem on the vane 
of the belfry, of a Lamb with a Banner, is the 
device on the official Episcopal Seal of the 
Moravian Church. 

The official seal of the church of the Unit- 
ed Brethren, is slightly oval, and three- 
fourths of an inch in diameter. In the cen- 
tre, on a cartouche shield, which is enclosed 
by carved scroll work, is a Holy lamb, with 
a delicate tracery of vines and flowers en- 
circling it. The whole surrounded by the 
motto : " Vicit Agnus unsler : eatu fiefjuamur,'> 
t. e.y " Our lamb has conquered — him we will 
follow." 

The Paschal or Holy-Lamb, passant, with 
a staff, cross and banner, is a typical figure 
of our Saviour, who is understood to be that 
Lamb mentioned in the Apocalypse of St. 
John, or the Revelations. The banner is 
always charged with a cross. See Clark's 
Introduction to Heraldry. The representa- 
tion of the seal of the church on the reverse 



of the title page to De Schweinitz's Moravian 
Manual, published at Bethlehem in 1869, is 
drawn in utter disregard of all heraldic 
rules; it is unlike the seal it purports to rep- 
resent; many things being omitted. The 
banner is a streamer, and the lamb faces to 
the right, instead of the left, which is the 
invariable rule. 

In 174S," The Old School" building had an 
addition made to its eastern end, and in 1749 
one to its western gable, connecting it with 
the Old Chapel. In ISIa the Boarding School 
for females was removed to its preseufloca- 
tion on Church Street, and the " Single Sis- 
ters" took possession of the old edifice. 

A school for girls was first commenced in 
Bethlehem, in the " Old School" building, on 
the 5th day of January, 1749, with sixteen 
scholars, daughters of the Moravian mis- 
sionaries, ministers of the gospel, and of 
brethren of other Moravian settlements in 
America, forming a distinct household in 
the community, which was expected to de- 
fray its expenses by contributions from the 
church and individuals, and by the practice 
of a prudent economy. 

On the 2nd of October, 17So, the school waa 
closed, and arrangements made in the House 
for receiving pupils from abroad. The five 
remaining inmates of the school, viz: Anna 
and Maria Unger, Susan Bage, Rosina Fried- 
man and Maria Heekewelder, daughter of the 
celebrated Indian Missionary, the Eev'd 
John Heekewelder, and the first white child 
born in the State of Ohio, and fifteen day 
scholars from the town were placed in charge 
of three Sisters, as teachers, and the room at 
the southwest corner of the second floor was 
assigned to them for a dwelling and recita- 
tions; all these continued at the school after 
the reception of scholars from other places. 

On the 2l5t of May, 1786, the first scholar 
from abroad entered the Seminary, in the 
person of Miss Elizabeth Bedell, of Staten 
Island, New York. A full history of the 
school will be found in the Bethlehem Sonceit' 
ier, printed by J. B. Lippincott & Co., of 
Philadelphia. The work is full of interesting 
information, and contains a full list of all 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



Gl 



the pupils entered in the institute since its 
foundation, with some beautiful views of 
Bethlehem, of the different buildings occu- 
pied by the school, and fine portraits of the 
principals, and other persons connected with 
the institution. 

One of the regulations introduced in the 
school, was the ringing of the bell in the 
belfry of the " Sisters' House," for school in 
the mornings and afternoons, and a quarter 
before 12 o'clocli M., for dinner, a custom 
which is still continued, and although the 
regulation is no longer applicable to the 
Seminary, it is to the scholars of the Mora- 
vian Day School, and most of the Moravian 
families, who still continue to dine at noon. 

In 1789, finding that the nuinljer of appli- 
cants for admission to the school was increas- 
ing so rapidly, that the building used could 
not accommodate all who applied, it was 
determined to erect another building, to 
give additional room ,* a site was selected in 
the rear of the old school, and on the 2nd of 
May, 1790, the corner stone of the new build- 
ing was laid by the Rev'd Bishop Hucbener, 
in the presence of a large assemblage, in- 
cluding the pupils of the school, and the 
children and members of the church. 

The building then erected, afterwards 
known as the " Old Castle," was a fine old 
stone edifice, an ornament to the town, and 
presenting an interesting and venerable ap- 
pearance in adistantviewof Bethlehem, and 
ought to have been carefully jireserved, but 
it was torn down in 1867, and the present 
Moravian Day School, for the use of the 
children of the Bethlehem congregation, 
erected in its place. 

The "Old Castle" was 52 by 40 feet, crown- 
ed by a heavy trip roof, whose lower pitch, 
overhanging the eves almost vertically, gave 
the building on the north side, where it was 
of one-story only, (being built on the de- 
clivity of the hill,^ an air of uncommon 
strength and solidity. AVhen vacated by 
the pupils of the Seminary, in 1815, it was 
occupied in part as a day school for the girls 
of the Moravian congregation; (the boys' 
school was in the Married Peo2)le's House,) 
and partly as a dwelling place for the 



families of several members of the church. 
There is a fine picture of the old building in 
the Souvenier. 

The "Sisters' House." 
The corner stone of the stone structure 
which forms the wSstern end of the present 
"Sisters' House," was laid August 8th, 1742, 
and the edifice was com2:)leted in December 
of the same year. It was immediately oc- 
e-jpied by the " Single Brethren," who lived 
there till November 15th, 1784, when they 
removed to their New House, the central 
building of the present Boarding School fur 
Young Ladies. And the " Single Sisters," 
who had until then, lived at Nazareth, took 
possession of the old building, which has 
ever since borne its present name. 

In 1752, the eastern wing of the " Sisters' 
House," opposite the " Old Chapel," and like 
it, supported outside by heavy stone but- 
tresses, was finished, containing a large sleep- 
ing hall for the " Single Sisters." ' The wing 
was occupied for the first time, on the 10th 
of May, 1752, and the occasion celebrated by 
a shad dinner, to which one hundred bloom- 
ing " Single Sisters" and " Great Girls" sat 
down. 

In 1773, the western addition to the " Sis- 
ters' House," was erected, and the row com- 
pleted as it now stands : it was first occupied 
October 19th, A. D., 177.5. 

The "Widows' House." 
On the south side of Church Street, directly- 
opposite the "Sisters' House," stands the 
" "Widows' House," erected in the year 1768, 
with an addition made to its eastern end in 
1794. It is a large, long, two-story stone 
house, built in the most substantial nianuor. 
The building is, as its name imports, the 
residence of the widows of the members of 
the Moravian Church. The inmates of the 
Widows' and Sisters' houses, are not, how- 
ever, supported by the church, but are de- 
pendent upon their own means, or the gene- 
rosity of their relatives and friends. The 
church furnishes them with rooms at a nomi- 
nal rent, in all else they are made to find 
themselves, if they can afford to do so, if not, 
they are supplied outof the Poor fund of the 



62 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



CuugrcgaUou. There used to be set a2:)art iu 
the '■ Widows' House/* a room iu which the 
Bisters and Widows exposed for sale, many 
beautiful artic-lesof fancy works, of their own 
make, and from this source some of the more 
dq)endent added to their little means; now, 
however, the articles of their handiwork are 
sold at the *' Eagle Hotel," through the 
motherly kindness of Mrs. Mary Yohe, wife 
of mine ancient host Caleb, who has presided 
now fur nearly twenty-six years over the 
varying fortunes of the Eagle, ever ready 
" to welcome the coming, and speed the 
parting gue=t ;"his hospitality is unbounded, 
and as one of the" Jli/stic Tie," he fraternally 
greets the Brethren of the craft, and grace- 
fully does the honors of his Lodge. 

•* ^Vhen the Juuior AVaiden to refrcshmeut calls us, 
And the sun is at Meridian height, 
Let us merrily, unite must cheerily; 
In social harmony, new joys invite; 
One aud all at hits call 

To the feast repairing 
All aroundjoys resound. 
Each the pleasure sli'iring." 

Many of the Widows and Sisters who live 
in the Congregation Houses at Bethleliem, 
are in comfortable circumstances, and aid 
frequently the friends and comi)anion3 of 
their youthful days, who are not so fortunate ; 
so that they never want for anything ; of 
course, the church authorities would extend 
assistance to inmates of the Houses in case 
of necessity ; for these are the jiet institutions 
of Bethlehem. Here, iu their old age, free 
from poverty aud care, live the " Single 
Sisters" aud widowed mothers of this fine 
old town, aud ancient church ; many reside 
there from choice, whose families live in 
affluence in the town, there they receive the 
visits of their friends and relatives as at 
home ; and surrounded as they are by the 
playmates of their youth, time glides not 
unhappily away; and we can but admire 
the affectionate care that is bestowed on 
those old ladies, and the loving attention of 
their children. May the wiuds of heaven 
deal gently with those time-honored walls, 
aud may the more vandal hand of man long 
respect those venerable halls, built by the 
affectionate solicitude and labor of those 
who have gone home, yet have left behind 



them these monuments of their love for their 
wives, sisters, aud daughters. When those 
old piles of masonry are no more, Bethlehem 
will have lost tlie most interesting oijjects 
within its limits ; and the Moravian Church 
its crowning glory, which, more than aught 
else, wins our love and admiration. 

The Sisters' Houses originated out of a 
voluntary act of the Sisters at Ilernhut, iu 
Germany, in the year 1750, who combined to 
live together under one roof, agreeing to 
serve the Lord, and receive no offer of mar- 
riage unless it were brought to thorn by their 
Ministers. The " Single Brethren" soon 
formed a similar association, and from the 
mutual agreemeut in respect to matrimony, 
in the two associations, arose the " Marriaye 
hy Lot." The sexes in the earlier days of 
the Moravian Church, were separated as 
much as possible ; the Sistei'S were not per- 
mitted to pass the " Bre'hren's House;'" nor 
the Brethren that of the " Sister's," if they 
accidentally met, they were not allowed to 
look at each other. The Sisters were for- 
bidden to meutiou the name of any of the 
Brethren. Both sexes grew u]^ in ignorance 
of each other, were timid in meeting with 
strangers, and the Moravians then were, in- 
deed, a peculiar, religious peo]do. 

Lieutenant Aubery, iu his " Travels iu 
America," published iu 1778, says of the 
Moravians. "They have adujited a sort of 
a marriage, but from the manner of its cel- 
ebration, you cauuot suppose those mutual, 
tender endearments aud happiness, to sub- 
sist between the parties as with us. A young 
man feels an inclination to marry, which 
does not proceed from any object he is en- 
amoured with, for he never sees his wife but 
once before the ceremony takes place, it be- 
ing contrary to the principles of their relig- 
ion, to suppose it is from the passions of their 
nature, but merely to uphold the Society, 
that it may uot sink into oblivion. The 
young man communicates his inclination to 
the parent, who, consulting with the Su2>er- 
intendent, she produces her who is the next 
in rotation for marriage. The priest presents 
her to the young man, an^ leaves them to- 
gether for au hour, when he returns. If they 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



63 



both consent, they are married the next clay. 
If there is any objection, their cases are very 
pitiable, but especially the woman's, as she 
is put at the bottom of the list, which am- 
ounts to nearly sixty or seventy; nor does 
the poor girl stand the least chance of a 
husband till she arrives at the top, unless 
the man feels a second inclination for mar- 
riage, for he can never obtain any other wo- 
man than the one he had the first interview 
with. This, I am induced to think, is the 
reason of there being so many old women 
among the Single Sisters." 

There are many absurd errors in the state- 
ment of Leiutenant Aubery, which have 
never been corrected. The parties marrying, 
were chosen by the consent of the Elder's 
Conference, with reference to their fitness 
for each other, and then submitted to Lot. 
The Brother had also the right to name a 
Sister, if he knew one personally, or through 
hii friends, if not, one was chosen for him; 
in all eases the matter was determined bv 
the Lot. 

Mr. Henry, in his sketches of Moravian 
life, says ; " It was the genius of Moravian- 
ism to submit all decisions to the Supreme 
will, and, in so doing, the Lot was the most 
available agent." 

The Lot was not, however, used only in 
reference to the marriage tie by the Mora- 
vians, but is still resorted to on many impor- 
tant occasions to determine both worldly and 
religious matters. It is done after solemn 
prayer, asking the mediation and direction 
of the Lord and Saviour, in imitation 
of the Apostles, when choosing Matthias as 
one of the twelve, after the death of Judas. 
" Atid they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell 
vjton Matthias, and he was numbered with the 
eleven Apostles." See the Acts of the Apos- 
tles, 1st chapter and 26th verse. 

In the historical collections of the State of 
New Jersey, edited by John W. Barber and 
Henry Hume, published in 1847, in the ar- 
ticle upon Hope, New Jersey, once a Mora- 
vian settlement, page 495, it is stated : " The 
young of both sexes were not generally al- 
lowed to associate. When a young man 
wished to marry, he would hand in the name 



of the lady to the board of Elders. If judged 
improper from pecuniary disability, or other 
reasons, recourse was had to the lot to decide 
the question. This was always entered upon 
with solemnity, and preceded by prayer. 
If favorable, the young lady had the privil- 
ege of refusal. In extraordinary cases it is 
even now resorted to; for instance, when a 
young lady receives proposals of marriage 
from a missionary, and is undecided, she 
sometimes requests the lot to be taken." 

It is undoubted that there were many im- 
pediments thrown in the way of the Breth- 
ren and Sisters marrying in the early days 
or the settlement of Bethlehem, why, is now 
a hidden mystery, yet tliere were some rea- 
sons for the restriction. Most of the Breth- 
ren were poor and unable to support a family. 
The Society only allowed one married cou- 
ple of each trade to settle in the town, be- 
sides which, the church had not the means 
to build houses for all the married people. 

The authorities at Ilernhut, being informed 
that matrimony was notproperly encouraged 
among the Brethren and Sisters in America ; 
determined upon sending a visitation to the 
churches there; accordingly, the Eev'd 
Bishop, John, Baron de Watteville, was sent 
by the direction of the UniDj's El'ler\ Cjn- 
ferenee," in Germany, to America, in the year 
1756 or '57, his visit resulted in " The Uhkat 
Wedoinq Act," at Bethlehem, on the 20th 
day of April, 1757, when fourteen couple 
were married, at the same time, in the face 
of the whole congregation, in the old place 
of worship, "DerKIeine Saal,"iu the second 
story of the " Gemein Haps," sometimes 
called the " Minister's House." The names 
of the couples married, and the ministers 
performing the ceremony, were as follows, 
viz : 

1. Maria Eedenbergor to John Schweiss- 

haught, by the Eev'd Auton Lawatsch. 

2. Samuel Johannes to Magdaline Mi ngii, by "^1-i 

the Eev'd Frank Christian Lombke. 
This couple were Africans. 

3. Elizabeth Cornwell to EichardPoppel well, 

by the Eev'd I. Michael GraiT. 

4. John Henry Merck to Catharine Eliza- 



64 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



beth Iloil, by the Eev'il Paul Daniel 
Bryzelius. 

6. Regina Neumann to Matthias "Weiss, hy 
the Rev'd Abraham Reinclre. 

6. George Meiser to Judith Schurer, by the 
Rev'd Augustus Gottleib Spangenberger. 

7 Rosina Sehultz to Jacob Till, by the Rev'd 
Bishop Augustus Gottleib Spangenber- 
ger. 

8. Otto Krogstry to Anna Burnett, by the 

Rev'd Petrus Boehler. 

9. Barbara Krausin to Wolfgang Michler, ))_v 

the Rev'd Bishop Petrus Boehler. 

10. George Huber to Anna Maria Lehnert, 
by the Rev'd John Christopher Fancke. 

11. Salome Buerstler to Abraham Steiner, by 
the Rev'd John Ettwein. 

12. Jacob Rubel to CatharinaHoetter, by the 

Rev'd Bernhardt Adam Grube. 

13. Salome Dock to Philip Wcsa, by the 
Rev'd Phillip Christian Bader. 

14. Martin Hirte to Maria Beroth, by the 

Rev'd John Martin Mack. 
The".4f(" was preceded by the entrance 
of the fourteen couples, accomiianied by the 
ministers, into the hall of worship, which 
the account says, " was a very respectable 
prospect;" while the trumpets and trom- 
bones were played. The Liturgy No. 92, 
from the Moravian Liturgy Book, was then 
6ung. 

'* Wie bring it-h's dock ztl ireye." 
By the choir, till the second verse, when the 
whole congregation joined in. Then follow- 
ed an address by " Brother Josei^h," (Spau- 
geuberg,) upon the text of the day; " / am 
the Vine, you the branches.'* After which, the 
entire congregation arose, and sung the hymn 

*' Ach Gutt iia Keittfchett Litiiiiuelein,'* 

During the singing the fourteen couples 
were united in marriage, in the order given 
above, and Bishop Spangenberg then impart- 
ed the blessing of the Church U23on the newly 
married people, to which the congregation 
responded. Amen I 

Then followed congratulations, refresh- 
ments and an intermission; after which the 
newly married couples, and the married 
people of tUe congregation, assembled to- 



gether, and were entertained by some musi- 
cal performances. The Brother, Petrus Boeh- 
ler, then sung an original ode, and Brothers 
Graff, Ettwein and Reineke, read original 
compositions; copies of all of which, are still 
carefully preserved by the Moravians of 
Bethlehem, as well as of the address deliver- 
ed by Bishoji Spangenberg. 

This incident, one of the most remarkable 
that ever occurred in the Bethlehem congre- 
gation, is often spoken of by the older Mo- 
ravians, as an event never to be forgotten. 
It was a triumph for the young people of 
both sexes, in favor of their marrying in 
greater numbers, a privilege which had been 
previously denied them. 

" Marrying hy Lot, a tale of the Primitive 
Moravians," is the title of a work by Char- 
lotte B. Mortimer, the daughter of a Moravian 
niinister, who was at one time a teacher in 
the Young Ladies' Seminary, at BetliK-hem, 
it was published in New York, by G. P. Put- 
nam k Son, in 1S6S. Perhaps some infor- 
mation can he derived frfim it in regard to 
this interesting subject, although it is not as 
clear and explicit as the curious reader could 
desire. 

The married women were known by wear- 
ing light blue silk ribbons, as cap-ties under 
their chins. The cap fitted close to the face 
and head, was made of cambric, with a 
broad baud of lace tied around the forehead, 
to keep it in place; it was called a Sihucp/en 
Haiibe, owning to its being cut in the shape 
of a aiiipe's bill. This cap was worn by all 
the females over the age of twelve years ; 
and remained in use in the American con- 
gregation till 1818, when it was abolished, to 
tiie great joy of the married women and sis- 
ters. The Great Girls wore dark red ribbons 
for their cap-ties. The Single Sisters used 
light pink in theirs ; and the Widows wore 
v?hite ribbons. 

But all these restrictions to marriage, and 
all these ancient costumes are now but me- 
mentoes of the past. In those days nearly 
all the religious societies originating in Eu- 
rope, had their monkish costumes, and pecu- 
liar dresses or uniforms; and those of the 
Moravians were no more singular than those 



BETHLEHEM, P E X X S Y L V A N I A. 



65 



of many other orders of Christians, some of 
which still exist ; and who, unlike the Breth- 
ren, do good to no man, or woman either. 

In Frond's History of Pennsylvania, vol- 
ume 2nd, page ,155, it is written, speaking of 
the Uiiitaa -Fro(rwm, or United Brethren, that, 
" By this name they were acknowledged hy 
Great Britain, in the year 1737 and 1739, and 
by several other nations and states about the 
same period. In the latter of which years, 
they received a general toleration, by an act 
of the British Parliament, encouraging them 
to settle in the American plantations, litc, 
by allowing them to take a solemn affirmation 
instead of an oath, and dispensing with their 
not being concerned in military affairs, on 
payment of a rate assessed, i-c." 

The dates should be 1747 and 1749, respec- 
tively. The first mentioned Act is so inter- 
esting and curious, that it is given here en- 
tire. It was passed in the 20th year of the 
Reign of George the Second, 1747, and can be 
found in the Statutes at Large of England, 
7th vol., chap. 44, p. OS, and is as follows : 

ANXO REGXI, GEOEGE II, REGIS. 
MafjncB Brittannice, Francim and Hibcrnice. 

VICESIMO. 

At the Parliament begun and holdcn at 
Westminster, the first day of December, 
Anno Domini, 1741, in the fifteeirfh year of 
the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the 
Second, by the Grace of God, ofGreat Britain, 
France and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
Faith, (tc. And from thence rontinned hij seve- 
ral Prorotjationi to the eighteenth daj/ nf Novem- 
her, 174fi, being the sixth session of this present 
Parliament. 

(The Royal Arms of Great Britain as they 
now are, 1SG9.J 

LOSDOS. 

Printed by Thomfis Baskett. Printor to the King's 

most excellent Majesty: and of the Assigns of 

Thomas liaskett. 1747. 



(035.) 

Anno Vicesimo, 

GEORGE II. REGI.?. 

An Act to extend the provisions of an Act 
made in the 13th year of Ilis aucrust Ma- 
jesty's Reign, entitnled, An A<t for A'atn- 
ralizing Foreign Protestants, and others therein 
mentioned^ at are settled, or shall settle in ant/ 
of HtH MftjestJ/'s Coloniet in Aweriea, toother 
Foreign Protestants who conscientiously 
scruple taking an Oath, 



Whereas, by an Act made in the thirteenth 
year of his present Majesty's reign, entituled 
" An Act for Katuraliziug such Foreign Pro- 
testants, and others therein mentioned, as 
are settled, or shall settle in any of his Ma- 
jesty's colonies in America ;" it was enacted, 
That from and after the first day of June, in 
the year of our Lord, 1740, all persons born 
out of the Ligeance of His Majesty, his Heira 
or Successors, who had inhabited and resid- 
ed, or should inhabit or reside for the spaea 
of seven years or more, in any of His Majes- 
ty's Colonies in America, and should not 
have been absent out of some of the said 
Colonies for a longer space than two months, 
at any one time during the said seven years, 
and should take and subscribe the oaths, and 
make, repeat and subscribe the Declaration 
appointed by an Act made in the first 3'ear 
of the Reignof His late Majesty, King George 
the I, entituled, an Act for the further se- 
curity of his Majesty's person and Govern- 
ment, and the succession of the Crown in the 
Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Pro- 
testants, and for extinguishing the hopes of 
the present Prince of Wales, his open and se- 
cret abettors ; or being of the people called 
Quakers, should make and subscribe the 
Declaration of fidelity, and take and afiirm 
the elfect of the Abjuration Oath, appointed 
and prescribed by an Act made in the eighth 
year of the Reign of his said late Majesty, 
entituled, an Act for granting the people 
called Quakers, such forms of affirmation or 
Declaration, as may remove the difliculties 
which many of them lie under; and also 
make and subscribe the Profession of his 
Christian Belief, appointed and prescribed 
by an Act made in the first year of the Reign 
of their late Majesties, King William and 
Queen Mary, entituled, an Act for exempt- 
ing their Majesties' Protestant subjects for 
penalties of certain Laws, before the chief 
'Judge or other Judge of the Colony wherein 
such Persons respectively had so inhabited 
and resided, or sliould so inhabit and reside, 
should be deemed, adjudged, and taken to be 
His Majesty's natural born Subjects of this 
Kingdom, to all Intents, Constructions, and 
Purposes, as if they, and every one of them, 
had been or were born within this Kingdom : 
And whereas, many of the People of the 
Congregation called the Moravian Brethren, 
and other Foreign Protestants not Quakers, 
who conscientiously scruple the t-jkirig of an 
Oath, are settled in his Majesty's Colonies in 
.'America, and demean themselves there as a 
sober, quiet and industrious People, and 
many others of the like Persuasion, arc de- 



66 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



sirous to transport themselves thither; and 
if the Benefit of the said Act made in the 
thirteenth year of his present Majesty's 
Eeign, were extended to them, they who arc 
now there would thereby be encouraged to 
continue their Residence in his Majesty's 
Colonies, and others would resort thither in 
greater numbers, whereby the said Colonies 
would be imjiroved, their strength increased, 
and their trade extended ; be it therefore 
enacted by the King's most Excellent Ma- 
jesty, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Com- 
mons, in this present Parliament assembled, 
and by the authority of the same. That from 
and after the 25th day of December, 174", 
all Foreign Protestants, who conscientiously 
scruple the taking an Oath, and who are born 
out of the Ligeance of his Majesty, his Heirs 
or Successors, who have inhabited and re- 
sided, or shall inhabit and reside, for the 
space of seven years, or more, in any of his 
Majesty's Colonies in America, and shall not 
have been absent out of some of the said 
Colonies for a longer space than two months 
at ?-ny one time during tlie said seven vears, 
and shall malie and subscribe the Declaration 
of fidelity, and take and aflirm the Eft'ect of 
the Abjuration Oath, appointed and prescrib- 
ed by thesaidrecited Act, madein the eighth 
year of the Reign of his late Majesty, King 
George the first, and also make and subscribe 
tb-i Profession of his Christian Belief, ap- 
pointed and prescribed by the said recited 
Act, made in the first year of the Reign of 
theirlate Majesties, King William and Queen 
Mary, before the chief Judge, or other Judge 
of the Colony wherein such Persons respec- 
tively have so inhabited and resided, or 
shall so inhabit and reside, shall be deemed, 
adjudged, and taken to be his Majesty's 
natural born subjects of this Kingdom, to all 
Intents, Constructions, and Purposes, as if 
they and every of them had been and were 
born within this Kingdom ; which said affir- 
mation and subscription of the said Declara- 
tion, the said Chief or other Judge ef every 
of the said respective Colonies, is hereby en- 
able and empowered to administer and take ; 
and Ibetakingof every such afiirmation,and 
the making and subscribing every such 
Declaration, shall be in such m.anner and 
Place, and at such Times and Hours, and 
such Entries made thereof, and for the same 
fees, and under the same Penalties, as in the 
said recited Act of the thirteenth year of his 
Majesty's Reign, are mentioned: and Lists 
of the Persons who shall take the Benefit of 



this Act, shall be transmitted to the Com- 
missioners of Trade and Plantations, in like 
Manner and under the same Penalties, as 
the Lists of the Persons taking tlie Benefit 
of the said Act are thereby directed to be 
transmitted. 

Provided always, and be it enaeted by 
the authority aforesaid. That no Person 
shall be naturalized by virtue of this Act, 
unless such person shall have received the 
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in some 
Protestant or Reformed Congregation, within 
some of the said Colonies in America, within 
Three months ne.xt before his taking such 
Affirmation, and making and subscribing 
such Declaration, and shall at the time of 
his taking such Afiirmation, and making and 
subscribing such Declaration, produce a cer- 
tificate signed by the Person administering 
the said Sacrament, and assisted by two 
credible witnesses, whereof an Entry shall 
be made in the Secretary's office of the Colo- 
ny wherein such Person shall so inhabit and 
reside, and also in the Court where the said 
Aflirmatiou shall be so taken as aforesaid, 
without any fee or Reward. 

And be it further enacted by the authority 
aforesaid. That the Provisions contained in 
the said Act. made in the thirteenth year of 
his present Majesty's Reign, with Regard to 
the Certificates of Residence, and of having 
made and subscribed the said Declaration, 
and taken the said Affirmation, and as to 
such certificates being made evidence in the 
Courts of Great Britain and Ireland, and also 
in the said Colonies, and all other the Bene- 
fits of the said Act, shall extend to Foreign 
Protestants, who conscientiously scruple the 
taking of an Oath, and who shall be qualified 
as aforesaid. 

Provided always, that the said Foreign 
Protestants shall enjoy the Privileges of 
natural born subjects, and all the Benefits 
of this Act, and the said Act of the thirteenth 
year of his Majesty's Reign 

Provided always, and be it further enacted. 
That no Person who shall become a natural 
born subject of this Kingdom, by virtue of 
this Act, shall be of the Privy Council, or a 
member of either House of Parliament, or 
capable of taking, having, or enjoying any 
Office or Place of Trust within the Kingdoms 
of Great Britain and Ireland, either civil or 
military, or of having, accepting, or taking 
any Grant from the Crown to himself, or to 
any other in Trust for him, of any Lands, 
Tenements or Hereditaments, within the 
Kingdoms of Great Britain ur Ireland, anv- 



r F, T II L E H E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



67 



tliiiiv; liiTi-inl.cfiirc pontaiued to the contrary 
thereof, iu any wise notwitlistanding. 

Provided also, and it is hereby further 
enacted by the authority aforesaid. That 
nothing in this Act, or in the said recited 
Act of the thirteenth year of his Majesty's 
Reign contained, sliall extend, or be con- 
strued to extend to naturalize any Person or 
Persons whatsoever, who, by virtue of an 
Act made in the fourth year of his Majesty's 
Reign, (intituled, "An Act to explain a clause 
■in an Act made in the Seventh Year of the Reiijn 
of Iler late Majesty Qiiecu AxNE, for Natnraliz- 
i)»^ Foreign Protestants, whicli relates to tlie 
children of natural born Subjects of the 
Crown of England, or of Great Britain,) are 
declared and enacted not to be intituled to 
the Benefit of the said Act of the Seventh 
3'ear of her said late Maji*sty's Reign, but 
that all such Persons shall be and remain in 
the same State, Plight and Condition, to all 
Intents, Constructions and rur]ioses, what- 
sover, as they would have been in, if the 
said recited Act of the Thirteenth year of 
his Majesty's Reign, or this Act, had never 
been made; anything in this Act, or in the 
said recited Act of the Thirteenth year of his 
Majesty's Reign contained to tlie contrary, in 
anywise notwithstanding. 

The following ancient and interesting 
Naturalization rajier, speaks for itself. 



Pennsylvania, ss. 

T EDWARD SIIIPPEX, JuN : Protlionotary of the 
■•-5 Suprram Court of Hie Province of Pennsylvania, 
DO hcreliy certify, That at a Supream Covirt held at 
Philndclphiu, for the said Province of Pennsylvania, 
the fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, One 
thousand seven hundred and iifty-four, Before William 
Allen, Lawrence Growdon, and Caleb Cowpland, Es- 
quires, Judges of said Court, between the hours of nino 
and twelve o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, 
George Hoffman, of Germantown, in the County of 
Philadelphia, being a Foreigner, and having inliabited 
and resided for the space of seven years in liis Majesty's 
Colonies in America, and not liaving been absent out 
of Homo of the said Colonies for a longer time than Two 
months at any one time during the said sjven years ; 
And the said George IIofTmau hr.ving produced to the 
said Court, a Cerlifleatc of his haviiiR taken the Sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper vvitliin three niomlis before 
the said Court, took ai.d subscribed the Oaths, and did 
make and repeat the Declaration, (appointed by an Act 
made in thefir.rt Yuir of the Keigu of liis late Majesty, 
King GliOPGK, tlie Tiist.) according to the Directions 
ofan Actof Parliament, made in the thirteeuth year 
of his present Majesty King GEORGE the Second, in- 
tituled, ^In .tc(/or Nuluraiiiing such Foreign Pro- 
tatants, and others, therein mentioned, as aresettled in 
ang of liis MoJest:i's Colonics in America ; and there- 
upon was admilted to be his M^esty's natural born 
Subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, pursuant to 
the Direction and Intent of the said Act of Parliament. 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Iland, 
and ath.\ed the Seal of the Supream Court, thelifteent;i 
Day of April, in the year first above mentioned. 

EDW'D SHIPPEN, JR, I-rot. 
[Seal of the Court.] 



68 



II I S T O n I C A L SKETCH OF 




THE OLD WATER WORKS, 

BETHLKHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The EETnLEiiEsr Alphabet. — The Old Water 
Works. — Dr. Mease's Sketch of the Mora- 
vians. — Derby's Gazeteer, 1S27. — Mrs. 
Royal's Account, 1829. — Prince Maxabiil- 
lAN OF Neuweid's VisiT, 1S32.— James N. 
Beck's Sketches. — Gordon's Gazetteer of 
Pa., 1S32. — The Centennial Celebration. 
U. S. Gazeteer, 1S43. — Incorporation of 
the Borough, 3S45. — "God Save the 
Luckenback's." — Act of Parliament Re- 

COC.XIZINGTnE"UNITASpRATRUM,"AS A PrO- 

testant Episcopal Church.^Origin of the 
Moravians. — Some Account of the Settle- 
ment OF UoPE, New Jersey, frosi the 
Historical Collections of that State. 

THE BETHLEHEM ALPHABET. 
By the late Htv'd Louis David de Schtceiiiitz. 
A stands for Anders, both Bishop and Brewer. 
B " Bochhr, and Bier to secure. 

C " Cristf whose lady keeps school. 



D stiind.s for Dnstrr, the dyer in wuol. 

^ " ^l/ff^i't, who works with the siiw. 

F '• Friday^ his Father-in-law. 

G " GiicttcTy who keeps tlie 'Wooi'-.vunl. 

II " Ililhnan, who always works hard. 

J " John, Jacob, Jundt, and his wife. 

K " Kam2)man, the oldest in life. 

L *' Lange, both Father and Son. 

31 " Maslick and Milchsacl; alone. 

N " A'cisSfir, whose house is but half. 

" Oertcr, who binds books iu calf. 

P " PfiiJ'cr, who tends the bark-mill. 

Q '* Quigloj, who married JaAc Till. 

II ** Ranch, ]{ id: seeker a.Tid Bice. 

S " ScJitieller, who teaches for price. 

T '* Tomhler, a Boat is his sign. 

V *' Vaipttt:, his shop ia his mine. 
W " Warner, the maker of Combs. 
X "a letter which nobody owus. 

Y " Touugman, who has toys for Siile. 
Z '* Zfillcr, who takes around the Ale. 

Tlie wood-cut at the head of this chapter, 
is a view of the " Old Water IIoWj* of Bethle- 
hem j'' or rather, of the old building in which 



K E T 11 L E II E iM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



G9 



the first works for forcing up the water were 
erected ; taken from one of Kleckner's fine 
large photographs. Tlie machinery was af- 
terwards removed to tlie Oil Mill, so often 
spoken of in the accounts of the town, where 
the celebrated buckwheat meal is now made, 
and which is situated directly to the west of 
the old building, on the opposite side of 
Water Street, on the banks oftheManockasy. 

A path runs along the south side of the 
house, up the hill into Main Street, between 
Ihe residences of Captain Abbott and Mr. 
John Fitz. This old house was the last 
building held by the Moravian Society, 
when selling out their property in the town, 
and it was finally disposed of to Mr. .Jedidiah 
Weiss, who still retains it; and whose son 
now occupies it as his residence. 

Ihe oil originally manufactured was Lin- 
seed oil, made from the seed of flax, which 
was raised in large quantities by the Mora- 
vians, previous to the Revoluti.on, and before 
cotton came into use. 

Ileckewelder says in his Indian names, 
that the word *' Manockaey , means in the In- 
dian language, a stream with lonrj heads, or 
many windings." And he spells it Maua- 
tjasfii 

Eeeently, in grading Market Street, the 
workman came upon the stone foundations 
of one of the old Water Towers, in use for- 
merly to give a head to the water in siipply- 
ing the village. The main lower stood in 
the rear of the " Married Peoples' Houses," 
as already stated; smaller towers were erect- 
ed in different parts of the town; and the 
one above mentioned stood in Market Street 
opposite thesiteof the " Old Indian Chapel." 

Morse's American Gazetteer, published in 
1797, says, that Bethlehem in 1787, had CO 
dwelling houses of stone, well built, and GOO 
inhabitants. 

Dr. James Mease, in his work called " The 
Picture of Philadelphia," published in 181 1 
page, 209, s,ay.s, in reference to the Moravians 
or United Brethren. 

"The first congregation of this Amiable 
Sect, that settled in North America, came 
from Berthlesdorf, a village belonging to 
Count Zinzeudorf, in U2iper Lusatia. When 



expelled from the Dominions of the Elector 
of Saxony, they resolved to go to America, 
and the Trustees of the Colony of Georgia 
having offered, through the Count, to grant 
them a tract of land, they set out in Novem- 
ber, 1734. 

" The written instructions given by the 
Count, were, 'That they should submit them- 
selves to the wise direction and guidance of 
God in all circumstances ; seek to preserve 
liberty of conseienoe ; avoid all religious dis- 
putes, and always keej) in view that call 
given them by God himself, to preach the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Heathen ; and 
further, that they should endeavor as much 
as possible to earn their own bread.' These 
principles they have ever strictly followed. 

" Having met in London with General 
Oglethrope, the Governor of Georgia, they 
were provided with all the necessaries for 
the voyage to his beloved colony, where 
they safely arrived in 1735, and settled ou 
the Ogeechc River : here they obtained the 
character wiiich they so properly deserved, 
of a peaceful, pious people. Another colony 
arrived in the course of the following sum- 
mer, and settled in Savannah. But in the 
following year, 1738, upon the attack of the 
Colony by the Spaniards from Florida, they 
were forced to leave their flourishing planta- 
tions, {having early declared that thei/ ti-unld not 
he concerned in war j) and retired to Pennsyl- 
vania : part came in 1738, and the remainder 
in 1740. They settled in Bethlehem. In 
1741, Count Zinzendorf arrived in Pennsyl- 
vania; and after much pious labor, particu- 
larly among the Indians, returned to Europe 
in 1743. 

"In 1742, the Brethren erected a churcli 
in Philadelphia, in an alley running north 
and aouth from Mulberry Street to Sassafras 
Street, between Second and Third Stre^li-. 
and hence called J/bi'atitaii Alley. The church 
is 40 feet by 30 feet, and will hold about 
three hundred persons. It has an organ. 
Pastor, Rev. Joseph Zeslein. 

" The principles of the Moravians are con- 
tained iu 'An exposition of Christian doe- 
trine, as taught in the Protestant Chureh of 
the United Brethren or Unitaa Fratruni, by A. 



70 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



G. Spangenberg, with a preface by Benjamin 
La Trobe.' They do not difl'er in the great 
cardinal points from other Protestant sects. 
They hold occasional ' Love Feasts' in tlieir 
churches, for the purpose of promoting friend- 
ship, mutual love and kindness among one 
another. The aliment is of the most simple 
nature, wine is indeed sometimes used, but 
with the most rigid attention to temperance. 
They deem the propagation among the heath- 
en, of the means of salvation by the Re- 
deemer, a primary object of duty; and their 
zeal in this respect is truly astonishing. 
Every part of the Globe has been visited — 
nay, settled by their Missionaries; even the 
inhospitable shores of Greenland and Labr.a- 
dor ; and the most unhealthy climates of 
Africa and Asia have received the benefit of 
their pious labors ; the frontiers of North 
America, which, even at the present moment, 
are the hunting grounds of the savages, 
were settled by them more than half a cen- 
tury ago, by a colony under the venerable 
apostle, the late Rev. Mr. Zeisberger, and 
others. No danger, however great, no priva- 
tions, or personal sufl'erings, however severe, 
deterred them from steadily pursuing their 
benevolent designs ; and although the hor- 
rors ofapredatory war carried on against the 
inoffensive converts from heathen darkness, 
by men who disgraced the name of Chris- 
tians, often interrupted the tranquility of 
their settlements, and occasioned their per- 
secution ; yet they availed themselves of the 
first opportunity to recommence their labors, 
and have joyfully seen their example follow- 
ed by other denominations of Christians. 

" The members of this Society are few in 
number in Philadelphia, when compared 
with those of other sects. The head of their 
government is Hernhutt, in Germany. : the 
subordinate power of their church. Bishop 
Loskiel, resides at Bethlehem in Penu?ylva- 
uia. 

" For a full account of the labors of the 
Jloravians in Nortl> America, see * The His- 
tory of the Mission of the Unitas Frairum 
among the Indians of North America, by the 
Eev. Mr. Loskiel, London, 17114.' " 

In Buck's Theological Iiictiouary, printed 



in Philadelphia, in the year lS20,by Charles 
Buck, volume II, page 82, Ac, there is an 
exhaustive article on the Moravians, tlie man- 
ner of tlieir Church Government, Missions, 
iSc, which, notwithstanding its great inter- 
est, would be out of place in the present 
work. It was compiled from Craiitz's Ancient 
and Modern Hislori/ <f the Churnh of the United 
Brethren, 1780, Spangenbenf s Ei-position nf the 
Christian Doctrine, I7>^i. Dr. Ihtweix's Chnich 
Ilistori). Vol. HI, p. lSi,d-c.; Cranizs History 
of the Missiitns in Greenland, LoskciVs DinUn ij 
of the Missions to the North American Indians ; 
and OldenJorp's Hiitori/ of the Brethren's Mis- 
sions in the Danish West Indian Islands. 

In Derby's Universal Gazetter, issued in 
1827, in the article on Bethlehem, it is stated 
among other things, that the population of 
the town in ISOO, was only 543, and in the 
Township, 1343. In 1810, the number in the 
Township was 1436, and in 1820, the numlicr 
in the Township had increased to 1860 indi- 
viduals, nearly all Moravians. The number 
of dwcllinij hon-es in the town in 1820, was 72. 
The population of the town itself, is only 
given for the year 1800. 

From Mrs. lioyaVs Pennsylvania, p ii.tcd in 
Washinijlon, D. C, in 1829, the following 
amusing and really entertaining sketch is 
extracted : 

'• Betlilehem is comparatively a large town 
and though mostly built of stone, has some 
handsome brick buildings. It is regularly 
laid ofl' into handsome streets, and like 
Nazareth, stands on a considerable eminence. 
It, however, sinks in some places, and rises 
in others. The new buildings are showy, 
and built in the modern style ; but the origi- 
nal buildings are roughly built of stone, and 
those where the Societies live, are huge 
masses of great size, small windows, and 
stone or brick floors, on the lower stories. 
The Church, however, and the Young La- 
dies' Academy, are two of the finest buildings 
in the United States. 

" Theirgraveyards are peculiar; instead of 
putting the tombstone perpendicular, it is 
laid horizontally and loose on the top of the 
grave, as an emblem of death which levels 
all things. They have a house where the 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



71 



r 



dead are placed and locked up till they are 
interred, and the friends of the deceased 
l^roceed from tliis house to the grave yard, 
■with appropriate music. 

'•Tlve Water Works of Bethlehem, hy 
which water is conveyed through the town, 
are a great curiosity. It is forced from a 
spring 100 feet high into a deep well, and a 
number of pipes le.ading nil" from tlio well 
under grouHd, conveys the water wlierever 
it is wanted. They keep large cisterns full 
in case of fire. 

*Dr. Steekle, of Nazareth, recommended me 
to a Br. Green, at Bethlehem, whom he said 
I would find at the stage house, kept by one 
Crist. Dr. Green, though he paid me a 
great deal of attention, was not the gentle- 
man his friend represented him. Nor was I 
at all pleased with my quarters. The tavern 
keener was from home, and his wife was an 
impertinent, disobliging woman. 

'■' Bethlehem, as well as Nazareth, has long 
been distinguished for the excellence of its 
schools. The Young Ladies' Academy at 
Bethlehem, is so well known throughout, 
not only this country, but the world, that 
nothing I could say would be of any advan- 
tage to the Institution, its fame having 
reached all parts of the Union. 

" I have seen numbers who were educated 
at Bethlehem, and have often seen tlie work 
done by the pupils, which, no doubt, has 
reached every part of the United States, and 
is doubtless superior to any needle work 
done in our country, at least. 

" I unfortunately called at Bethleliom on 
Saturday, and the first thing I did after -my 
arrival, was to inform the principal. Rev. 
Chas. F. Seidel, of my presence. He, very 
gentleman-like, waited on me in a few min- 
utes, and, after communicating my views, 
Mr. S. said he would rather I would postpone 
my visit to the Academy till the next day, 
as the young ladies were always in undress 
on Saturday, preparing themselves for the 
ensuing week. That Saturday was the 
usual day for cleaning up. This being the 
case, I liad to submit,as I was resolvedupon 
seeing the pupils and the interior of the 
Academy. Mr. Seidel is a middle aged man, 



heavy made, full round face and pleasing 
countenance. In lii.s manners he excels, if 
possible, Bev. Van A'leck. lie is a native of 
Germany, but has been in tliis counti-y 
several 3'ears j no one, however, would pei-- 
ceive from his dialect that he was a foreign- 
er. I have never seen an American whose 
demeanor and manners possessed the sann* 
ease and grace of Dr. Seidel, and it woubl 
be mockery to attempt a description of the 
man. His conversation bespoke him a man 
of high attainments, and upon the whole he 
is one of the most fascinating men I ever 
met with. 

'The following day I went to Church in 
the first place, as I wished to see their mode 
of worship, and when the sermon was over 
I was to be admitted to the Academy, it 
having been so arranged. The Church is 
very large, and has a handsome organ. The 
men and women sit apart, the men taking 
off their hats. These sit on one side of the 
house, and the ladies of the place upon the 
other, face to face, ahd the pupils sit in tlie 
middle. The pupils have, however, a place 
of worship by themselves, their seats are at 
right angles with the others. The daughters 
of the citizens (single ones), sit with the 
pupils. 

'•This was a good opportunity to see the 
customs of the whole. Both men and women 
were fashionably dressed, excepting, as in 
otlier cases, the aged; but nothing could c.k- 
ceed the taste and neatness of the whole. 
They differ from all other peo|de in coun- 
tenance, manner and dress. They all have 
a smile on their countenance, and none of 
(he sameness of the Quakers or the Shakers 
in their dress, nor the sadness of the Metho- 
dists, or the fripping flounces of other sects, 
and still less the studied grimness of the 
Gray Coats. Some of the citizen ladies were 
dressed in white, some in lead color, some 
in calico, some in bombazine, and some in 
silk; their hats or bonnets, (if you please), 
were neat, fine and small, and those of the 
young ladies were trimmed with ribbon, but 
chiefly they excel in that art which conceals 
art. For although most of them are learned, 
the most learned amongst them approach 



72 



II I S T K I C A L SKETCH OF 



nearest to nature. The congregation accom- 
panied the organ in singing, ami both men 
and women have books in their hands. But 
nothing that has gone before can give any 
i lea of the heavenly smile which sat upon 
t lie face of the preacher, and the beguiling 
case of his gestures. If he is not perfection, 
there is none on earth. Though I am 
.strongly prejudiced against priests, I could 
almost be brought to believe this man was 
a Christian, his face was never without 
a s:nile. 

"They have none of that silly getting up 
:iml getting down, and continual motion of 
other churches, and if I were to believe, 
what I do not, that there were any Chris- 
tianity in the United States, I would say it 
had fled to these Moravians for protection. 
In saying this, I wish to be understood that 
I hiive found a great deal of liberality, 
generosity, and good feeling, but no Chris- 
tians agreeably to the requisites of the gospel. 
Those who have and are making so much 
noise about religion, as they call it, seem to 
be more upon the Jewish plan. But this is 
no more than an opinion, — to return, if there 
be any of the meek religion of the gospel in 
our land it is amongst these Moravians. It 
was not the Eev. Seidel who preached, nor 
do I know his name, he was quite an orator. 

•■ The only singularity I saw was the men 
and women go out of the Church at oj^posite 
points, doubtless to prevent the young gen- 
tlemen from gallanting the young ladies. 
This was the only church in which I ever 
saw window curtains used. The windows 
are of amaziug height and width, and every 
one has a large, line, white curtain before 
it, with lead fastened to the bottom to keep 
it in its place, otherwise the Church is with- 
out ornament. The pulpit is very high, and 
the priest walks into it from another portion 
of the Church. 

" After Church was out, Mrs. Seidel accom- 
panied me through the Young Ladies' 
Academy, which, like that at Nazareth, does 
not consist of one entire large hall, like High 
schools or some Academies, but every class 
has a hall or class room to themselves. They 
dine in one great hall, and sU-eji in another ; 



which pLan of all sleeping in one room I do 
not ajiprove, for though the room is high 
and airy, I am of the opinion that many 
human beings, inhuling, as they must do, 
each others breath, cannot be healthy. As 
resi>oct3 this Academy, nothing would be 
more easy than to throw this large room into 
chamlicrs. 

'• Tlio cooking department is also in tlic 
same building; this is the best constructed 
and in the neatest order of any I have visited 
in the Atlantic country, excepting that at 
the Hospital at Boston. 

" As it was Sunday, I lost the pleasure of 
hearing the young ladies play, or of seeing 
'them at work, though they were all in the 
rooms occLijiied in common for study. 

"This was certainly the capstone of the 
climax, and what I had for many years 
back ardently longed to see, and though 
fancy was raised to the highest stretch, 
fell short of the burst of innocence, beauty, 
and elegance which met my eye at the 
opening of each door. The retiring modesty 
of some, the polished urbanity of others, the 
snowy arm, the delicate hand, the soft 
friendly smile, the spiral ringlet, the dim- 
pled cheek. I lingered at each door, lost in 
admiration. As at Nazareth, they severally 
arose from their seats, and made a graceful 
courtesy as they were introduced. There 
were some from all parts of the United 
States, and some from the Islands, some 
were small girls and some were grown. I 
was much pleased to find Miss Bibbs there, 
from Alabama, with whose parents I had 
formerly a slight acquaintance. 

"There was at this time a tliin school, on 
account of a vacation, from sickness; if I 
recollect, the first time the institution was 
visited with sickness. There are, however, 
more applicants than can be accommodated. 
This is much to be lamented, as it is cer- 
tainly the best female seminary in the 
United States. It is wholly under the con- 
trol of the United Brethren of Germany, 
who, it appears, do not seek to enlarge it, 
though the profits go to establish other 
seminaries elsewhere. 



BETHLEHEM, FENNSYLVANI.'\. 



" The young ladies showed me their frames 
with the unfinished work, which surpassed 
heauty. They have introduced what is 
called ribbon work, recently taught by a 
German lady. This is very ingenious, and 
has still a richer appearance than the com- 
mon way with floss silk. The ribbon work 
is shaded like the floss, very narrow and 
curiously worked into flowers and figures of 
all sorts and shapes ; it is richer and much 
easier done. The ebony work is a very use- 
ful work and a groat curiosity; everything 
almost is made of it. The worsted work is 
also beautiful, hearth rugs, or anything you 
fancy is made of it. But the literary part of 
the education is by far the most important." 

"'Bethlehem ison the river Lehigh and a 
small creek called the Jfanakes, bi miles 
from Philadeli)hia. The town begins on an 
eminence, and descends to the banks of the 
latter, a handsome stream. The prospect is 
not so handsome as that of Nazareth, as the 
Lehigh mountains approach too near the 
town, and confine the view within too nar- 
row limits. It is, however, a lively town, 
the people pursuing a variety of business as 
in other towns. It owns a great number of 
mills, tanneries and breweries, and contains 
about 3000 inhabitants, (1S2S;. There are 
also handsome flower gardens, shrubberies 
and pleasure grounds adjoining the academy, 
all of which, with pure air, fine water, and 
a rich surrounding soil, but above all the 
refined and pleasing manners of the inhabi- 
tants, render it a delightful summer retreat, 
and to which numbers of the Southern 
gentry resort during the warm months. All 
those who travel for amusement or curiosity 
ought to visit those interesting towns." 

Mrs. Ro}-al writes more at length about 
Kazareth and Bethlehem, and seems to have 
been much prepossessed in favor of the 
Moravians, which speaks well for them, as 
she handles " all the world, and the rest of 
mankind," without gloves. She, however, 
over estimates the population in IS28. In 
1830, the town only contained 800 inhabi- 
tants; and in 1840, but 1,622 souls. 

Prince Maxamilian, of Woid, in his trav- 
els in the interior of North America, in 1832 



and 1833, (a fine work, handsomely illus- 
trated with eighty-five superb engravings, 
translated from the German, printed in Lon- 
don in 1843, and sold at the rate of $200 per 
copy,) thus writes of the undergrowth of 
immense Mountain Laurel on the Lehigh 
Hills, on the south side of the Lehigh Eivcr, 
near Bethlehem. " We saw here a thick 
covert of the tall lihudodendron Maxrmvm , 
which was still, (August 2nd, 1832,) adorned 
with magnificent tufts of flowers." 

Neuweid, also calls attention to the Ctc- 
Jiorium Iiiti/bus, with its beautiful flowers, 
white and blue, which grows so plentifully 
on the roadsides in the vicinity of Bethle- 
hem ; it would make a handsome garden 
flower. 

Prince Maxamilian remained for some time 
at Bethlehem, at what is now known as 
" Fetter's Hotel," then kept by Captain 
"Woehler, an old soldier of the great Na])0- 
leon, and a Westphaliau by birth. The 
veteran's remains now reposo in the Old 
Grave Yard. In his life-time, the Captain 
often spoke of" Prince Max," whom he drove 
all over the surrounding country, during his 
visit to Bethleheni and its vicinity. 

Captain Woehler occupied the fine old 
stone house in Water Street, opposite the 
Tannery. He was a Moravian, and his house 
was kept with true Gei-man neatness, and 
there he dispensed to his guests Lager beer, 
wine and pretzles only. His liquids were 
kept as cool as ice, by the waters of the cele- 
brated Spring that supplies the town with 
water, and which was on his premises. The 
massive walls, the solid oak floorings and 
staircases of the house, are well worth a ■visit. 
No such private buildings are erected iu 
these degenerate days. 

James N. Beck, in his pleasing little sketch 
es of " Music by Night, and Trout in the 
Morning," published in 1865 ; eulogizes the 
polite old Captain ; and of his charming 
neice, writes thus: "Luischen, modest, full 
orbed waiteress of the Carivansera, a comely 
German lass, whose good tempered noncha- 
lance, at times recalled to my mind Johann 
Ludwig Glein's stanza in ' Das Maedcheu 
Tom Laude." 



74 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



*' Wie fliesst (lie-. diT JIaeJcben 
So ruhig daablut ! 
Der MacJchen vom Laude, 
Wie bist der so gut," 

" Louisa I she of the pure German accent, 
ever anticipated our wishes, with a grace as 
charming as it was unassuming; may the 
murmuring, rippling waters of tiie Monoc- 
kasy outside, serenade her for many ensuing 
years." 

The only copy of Neuweid's work in the 
United States, is owned liy Mr. Wni. Theo- 
dore Roepper, of Bethlehem, Professor of 
Mineralogy and Geology, in the Lehigh 
University. 

Gordon's Gazetteer, of Pennsylvania, 1832, 
says of Bethlehem, " The situation on a ris- 
ing hill is particularly romantic ; a fine mill- 
stream and the Lehigh Canal passing through 
the lower part of the town, affording con- 
siderable facilities to business. The number 
of private dwellings in the year 1831, am- 
ounted to 112. The public buildings con- 
sisted of a remarkably large church, a board- 
ing school for young ladies, established since 
the year 1788, a school house for boys, and 
two peculiar establishments, in one of wliieh 
a number of widows find an asylum in their 
old age, and in the other, unmarried women 
chiefly, likewise of an advanced age, board 
together under proper regulations, and the 
guardianship of the Society. The town con- 
tains 800 inhabitants, &c." The account is 
verv long, and particularly interesting, but 
it contains nothing not already related and 
described. 

On the 25th day of June, A. D. 1842, it be- 
ing the Centennial celebration of the settle- 
ment of Bethlehem, the occasion was ob- 
served in the Moravian Church witli a])- 
propriate ceremonies, of which the following 
is a brief account, kindly furnished by the 
Rev. Edwin de Schweiuitz. 

1. June 24, 1842. In the evening prepa- 
ratory service was held by the Rev. JohnG. 
Herman. 

2. June 25, 1842, at 9 o'clock A. M., the 
first service of the Centesimal celebration. 
Anthem by the choir; hymn by the congre- 



gation; reading of a salutatory letter from the 
Board of Elders at Berthelsdorf, in Saxony. 
Address in German and English, both by 
Rev. John G. Herman. 

3. Second service, at lOi A. M. Reading of 
a Historical sketch of the founding and ])ro- 
gress of Bethlehem, in German, by Rev. P. 
n. Goepp. 

4. Third service at 3 o'clock P. M. ; a Li- 
turgical service; singing by the congrega- 
tion, and anthem by the choir, and an 
address by the Rev. Mr. Hecht, Pastor of the 
Lutheran church at Easton, Pa. At this 
service. Rev. Charles F. Seidel, presided. 

5. Fourth service, 8 o'clock,?. M. Held 
in tlie old burying-ground, which was illu- 
minated by more than lOilO lanterns of col- 
ored paper, and consisting of Liturgical 
offices by the congregation and choir. More 
than 2000 persons were present. 

6. Sunday, June 26, at 9 A. M., fifth ser- 
vice, for the children, held by the Rev. Peter 
WoIle,of Litz, Pa. 

7. At lOi A. M., service by the Rev. G. F. 
Bahnson, of Lancaster, Pa., in German. Text, 
John, 15, 16. 

8. At 3 P. M., seventh service ; sermon in 
English by the Rev. David Bigler, of Phila- 
deljihia. Text, Habak. 3, 2. 

9. At 7i o'clock, P. M., the eighth and last 
service was the ordination of four Deacons of 
the Moravian Church to the Priestliood, by 
Bishop Andrew Benade, as a fitting conclu- 
sion to so eventful an occasion. 

The United States Ciazetteer, printed in 
New York in lS43,say3 : " Bethlehem, which 
is characterized by great neatness and order, 
is on tile north bank of the Lehigh river, at 
tlie mouth of the Monokacy creek. The 
ground rises gradually from the river and 
creek, and gives a commanding situation to 
the view ; it is compactly built on a street 
running North and South, and two other 
streets running east from the main street. 
It contains a large stone church, in the 
Gothic style, 142 feet long and 68 feet wide, 
with a small tower rising from the centre, 
and surrounded by a dome. There is a bury- 
ing ground to the north-east of the village. 



BETHLEHKM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



75 



laid out with great neatness and taste, in 
wliieh the graves have the head to the 
North. 

"■ There are a.bout 200 dwelling houses, be- 
side other buildings. There is a bridge over 
the Lehigh 400 feet long. This place has 
long been celebrated for a female school of 
high order, conducted by the Moravians, in 
which many highly respectable ladies of 
the lliddle States have received their edu- 
ca ion. 

*' The Lehigh canal passes along the river 
through the lower part of the place. It con- 
tains 4 stores, capital S1G,500 ; capital in 
manufacturies, SSS.DOO; 1 college, 8 students; 
2 academies, 175 students ; 2 schools, 109 
scholars. Population, ]fi22." 

Bethlehem was incorporated as a Borough 
on the 6th of March, 1845 ; and the first elec- 
tion for Borough ofBcqrs, was held on the 
third Friday in March, 1845, and resulted as 
follows : — 

Charles A. Luckenbach, Burgess. 

Philip II. Goejip, Councilman. 

Benjamin Eggert, " 

Ernst F. Bleck, « 

John M. Micksh, « 

Christian Luckenbach, " 

Charles L. Knauss, " 

Christian Weber, Treasurer. 

Samuel Brunner, Clerk. 

Matthew Brown, Stipervisor. 

Augustus Milchsack, " 

Charles W. Eauch, High Constable. 

The late Rev. Louis David de Schweinitz, 
one of the most learned and eloquent divine 
of the Moravian Church in America, wrote 
some interesting and instructive little 
sketches for the amusement of his children; 
one of these, the Bethlehem alphabet, has 
already been inserted, and the following, re- 
lating to one of the most influential and nu- 
merous of all the families of Bethlehem, is 
full of wit, and proof of the assertion. 
Mij Firet Visit to Bethlehem. 
" On my late journey to Wilksbarre, I was 
pleased with the prospect of spending an 
tfternoon at the pleasant village of Bethle- 
hem. I had been detained at Quakertown, 



so as to miss the morning stage, and was 
upon the point of giving up my plan, when 
I was informed that a Mr. Luckenback 
(David) from Bethlehem, who kept a hack, 
was ready to start for that place, having but 
one passenger. I eagerly embraced the op- 
portunity, and found that passenger an old 
friend of mine. As my friend was intimate- 
ly acquainted with Bethlehem, and its im- 
mediate vicinity, I gladly acceded to his 
proposal, when we reached the summit of a 
hill within a near view of the town, to alight 
and walk on foot, in order to enjoy the de- 
lightful scenery. After walking a few jiaces 
my attention was arrested by a young man 
in the adjoining field ploughing unusually 
deep furrows, and remarking to my friend 
that they appeared so to me, he replied that 
Mr. Luckenback (George) was noted for his 
deep ploughing. 

"Continuing our walk we soon arrived at 
the bridge over the Lehigh, and were civil- 
ly stopped at the gate by the toll-keeper, an 
old Mr. Luckenback, (Adam) to receive the 
toll, and while we were making some inqui- 
ries of him concerning the rise of the river 
at the late freshet, a young gentleman on 
horseback came up, whom my friend shook 
hands with, informing me that he was a 
Mr. Luckenback, (Charles Augustus) who 
had recently purchased the Mill property. I 
confess I began to wonder at the frequency 
of the name, and was just going to remark 
on it, when we came up with a person car- 
rying a fowling-piece, accompanied by two 
dogs, whom my friend addressed as Mr. 
Luckenback, (Samuel) telling me he acted 
as Forester to the town. 

" On the bridge across the canal we stopped 
to admire this fine work, and were contem- 
plating a new house just erected there, when 
I was surprised to hear a person call out Mr. 
Luckenback I (Jacob) to the master builder, 
who was sitting on the rafters, and make 
some inquiries of him. Wethen went down 
the tow-path of the canal, and walked up to 
the Lock to see a coupleof^ris just passing. 
The lock-keeper, I Immediately understood, 
was a Mr. Luckenback, (Samuel, Sr.) and I 
observed to my friend that it was strange 



7G 



lIISTOmCAL SKETCH OF 



that we should meet all the Luckenbaoks of 
the town before we entered it. I found my- 
self, however, mistaken, for the first sign- 
Tjoard which struck my sight in town, in- 
formed me that there lived a Mr. Lucken- 
back, (William B.) a coppersmith. "When 
we approached the " Eagle Tavern," we saw 
a number of persons assembled befoi-e it, and 
iinderstood that they were the Committee, 
under whose care and superintendence are 
the various water-works, by which water is 
introduced, and my friend, with a smile, 
pointed out to me a Mr. Luckenback, (Chris- 
tian) the Chairman, as a person remarkable 
for his knowledge on such subjects. 

" By this time it began to grow late, and 
the church bell ringing, I learned that a 
marriage was to take place in the church ac- 
cording to the Moravian custom. Desirous 
of witnessing the ceremony, I repaired 
thither, my friend accompanied me, and 
took pleasure in increasing my astonish- 
ment, by informing me that the young man 
who was to be married was a Mr. Lucken- 
back, (William Jr.) a cabinet-maker. Being 
invited to remain when the meeting broke 
up in order to be present at the ceremony 
which with the Moravians is in the place of 
a wedding dinner, I accejited. After some 
time, the company being seated, a middle- 
aged clergyman entered and occupied the 
usual place of the minister; after he had ad- 
dressed a few words of congratulation to the 
young couple, he commenced singing, du- 
ring which wine and biscuit were handed 
around. My friend told me that the clergy- 
man was the Eev. Mr. Luckenback, (Abra- 
ham) a highly valuable missionary among 
the Moravian Indians in Canada, now on a 
visit to his friends in Bethlehem. And I 
ceased to wonder at the number of Lucken- 
baeks, and their various occupations, when 
I was informed that at this wedding all the 
relatives of the parties had been invited, and 
there was present on the part of the bride- 
groom, 1 grandfather and 1 grandmother; 3 
great uncles and 3 great aunts : 1 father and 
1 mother; 17 uncles and 18 aunts; 10 bro- 
thers and sisters, and 21 first cousins, ma- 
king 80 near relatives, members of the 



Society', anil all descended from old Mr. 
Luckenback, who had been dead for upwards 
of 80 years. Gnd anvc the LiickeiihncksJ'' 

The following Obituary is copied from The 
Moravian. 

"Died, at Bethle'hem, Pa,, December 1, 
1867, very suddenly, Mrs. Elizabeth Luck- 
enback, relict of the late David Luckenback, 
in the 85lh year of her age. 

" The deceased was one of the oldest mem- 
bers of the church at Bethlehem. For 35 years 
she lived with her husband on one of the 
river farms, belonging to the church, in the 
old homestead, the site of which is now oc- 
cupied by the Railroad offices of the Lehigh 
Valley Eailroad in the present borough of 
South Bethlehem. 

" She was the mother often children all of 
whom are living, and had si.Kty-six grand- 
children, and forty-three great grandchild- 
ren, together one hundred and nine child- 
ren's children, of whom, however, thirty 
died before her. Direct descendants to the 
number of eighty-nine survive her." 

The Act of Parliament of 22 George the 
Second, 1749, in 7th Statutes at Large, Chap. 
30th, page lj5, i-o., hereinbefore alluded to 
as recognizing the Vnilas Fratrum as a Pro- 
testant Episcopal Church, is as follows: — 

" An act for encouraging the people known 
by the name of Um'taa Fratrum, or United 
Brethren, to settle in his Majesty's Colonies 
in America." 

" Whereas many of the people of the 
church or congregation called the Vr.itas 
Fratrum or United Brethren, are settled in 
his Majesty's Colonics in America, and de- 
mean themselves there as a sober, quiet and 
industrious People ; and many others of the 
same persuasion are desirous to transport 
themselves to, and make larger settlements 
in the same Colonies at their own expense, 
provided they may be indulged with a full 
Liberty of Conscience, and in the exercise of 
the religion they profess; and several of the 
said Brethren do conscientiously scruple the 
taking of an oath, and likewise do conscien- 
tiously scruple bearing arms, or serving in 
any military capacity, although they are 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



willing and ready to contribute whatever 
sums of money shall be thought a reasona- 
ble comjicnsation for such service, and 
which shall be necessary for the defence 
and support of hia Majesty's Person and 
Government : — And whereas the said Coujrega- 
tions are an Ancient Protestant Episcopal Church 
which has been countenanced and relieved 
by the Kings of England, your Majesty's 
predecessors. And whereas the encouraging 
tliii said People to settle in America w\U be 
beneficial to the said Colonies; therefore 
may it please your Majesty at the humble 
petition of Abraluim, Baron oiGnsdurff ; Lewis 
Baron Schrantenhack free Lord of Lindlieim : 
David Nitachmann Syndic; Charles Scbachmann 
Baron of Hermsdorf, and Henri/ Cossart, agent, 
Deputies from the said Moravian Churches, 
in Behalf of themselves and their United 
Brethren, that it may be enacted ; and be it 
therefore enacted by the King's most Excel- 
lent Majesty, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 
and Commons, in this present Parliament 
assembled, and by the authority of the 
same, that from and after the 24th day of 
June, 1749, every person being a member 
of the said Protestant Episcopal Church, 
known by the Name of Unitus Fralrum, or 
the United Brethren, and which Church was 
formerly settled in Moravia and Bohemia and 
also now in Priissia, Poland, Silesia, Lnsatia, 
Germany, the United Provinces, and also in 
llis Majesty's Dominions, who shall be re- 
quired upon any lawful occasion to take an 
oath in any case whore by law an oath is or 
shall be required, shall, instead of the usual 
form, be permitted to make his or her sol- 
emn afBrmation or declaration in these words 
following : — 

" ' I, A. B., do declare in the presence of 
Almighty God, the witness of the truth of 
what I say.'" 

" Which said solemn affirmation or decla- 
ration shall be adjudged and taken, and is 
hereby enacted and declared to be of the 
same force and effect, to all intents and 
purposes, in all Courts of Justice, and other 
places where by law an oath is or shall bo 
required, within the kingdoms of Great Bri- 



tain and Ireland, and also in all and every of 
his Majesty's Colonies and Dominions in 
America, as if such person had taken an 
oath in the usual form." 

There are seven other sections of tiie Act. 
Penalty for false affirming. Not to extend 
to criminal cases. Moravians summoned 
to do military duty to be discharged on 
payment of the rate assessed; and that any 
person claiming the beneiit of the act should 
produce a certificate of membership, signe'd 
by some Bishop of the Cliurch, &c., all of 
which are now without interest to any one. 
In a worii entitled iha " Pictorial Sketch- 
Book of Pennsf/h-ania," edited by Eli Bowen, 
and printed in 1853, is a note on page 30G, 
on the Origin and History of the Moravi- 
ans, from which the following extract is 
made; the first part of which must be taken 
cum grano salts, as no authority is given for 
the statement. The Ancient Brethren's 
Church dates only from the 1st of Marcli, 
1457. 

" In the 9th century, a sister of the 
King of Bulgarvia, being carried a prisoner 
to Constantinople, became a Christian, and 
through her means, on her return to her na- 
tive land, a Christian church was estab- 
lished in her native cou7itry, of which the 
king of Moravia and the duke of Bohemia 
were members. A part of these churches 
were afterwards forced into the Roman 
Church, but a select few still refused to be 
merged into it. This little remnant, adhev- 
ing to the pure and simple doctrines of the 
primitive church, suffered a variety of per- 
secutions for several centiiries, but were c\t 
length permitted to live in a wasted pro- 
vince on the borders of Moravia. Here they 
established a church in 1457, on what they 
deemed the rule and law of Ciirist, calling 
themselves at first, '^Brethren of the law of 
Christ," and finally, the " United Brethren." 
As there are other denominations styling 
themselves United Brethren, they are now 
usually called Moravians. 

"The celebrated missionary, Count Zin- 
zendorf, was not the founder of the Mora- 
vian church, as many have supposed; but 
was merclv the Protector of some of t!;e 



78 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



members when driven from their native 
lanil. T!iey were allowed to settle in his 
village of Eethelsdorf. He assisted to re- 
organize their church, and after fruitless 
attempts to induce them to join the Lutheran 
church, he became himself a convert to their 
doctrines, and subsequently their leader 
and guardian, especially in temporal af- 
fairs." 

The Moravians are referred to in several 
places in the same work, and a mythical an- 
ecdote is related of Count Zinzeudorf, copied 
from Chapman's History of Wyoming Val- 
ley , p. 246, lie, of a rattlesnake which crawled 
over his feet, without harming him, while 
he was sitting before a fire in an Indian 
tent, during oue of his missionary visits to 
the Shawanese tribe of Indians of Wyoming 
Valley. An occurrence not at all unlikely, as 
it was a cool evening, and the snake was 
seeking the warmth; but the story sounds 
very much like the account of St. Paul shak- 
ing the viper from oif his hand into the 
fire, on the Isle of Melita. See Acts of the 
Apostles, 28 Chapter, and the first six versos. 
Chapman says in a note, that the occurrence 
is not mentioned in the Count's memoirs, 
lest the Brethren should think that the 
conversion of a jiart of the Shawanese In- 
diaus was attributable to their supersti- 

ti'lU. 

The following interesting aceouutof Hope, 
is copied from the "Historical Collections cf 
theStateof New Jersey," by William Barber, 
and Henry Howe, published in jS'ew York, 
in the year 1S4T, p. 491, &c. 

"In 1709 the Moravians from Belhlobein, Pa., 
purchased a tract of about 1000 acres at Ibis 
place of Mr. Green, who lived in a log house on 
the liill, a few rods from the Christian church. 
Tlic Moravians who liv^d here were reuiarUably 
honest in all their dejftings, but by trusting 
too much to the honesty of those with whom 
they Lad business, suffered in their pecuniary 
affairs. In 1S05 or liOO, they rehirned to their 
EBltlcmenls at Bethlehem and Nazareth. While 
here they erected a church and a tavern, which 
last stood where the Christian church is now 
erected, and was burnt a few years since. The 
anne.ved engraving is a representation of the 
Union Hotel in the village, built of limestone. 



This structure was erected in 1781, and was 
originally the Moravian church, being sur- 
mounted by a cup 'la, which has since been 
taken d.iwn, and a portico added. 

" In the village burying-grouud at Hope, are 
the graves of about 40 or 50 Moravians ; a sbib 
of grey stone about two feet long is plac-ed lio- 
rizontally over each grave, each with a simple 
inscription recording the name, birth, and 
death. The following is a copy of two of the in- 
scriptions. 

No. 33. 

CONRAD OMENSETTER, 

Bolts December ISth, 1740, 

In Germany. 

DEPARTED 

Jiilj/ 2, 1792. 



MARIA SALOME BLUM, 

Born June lllh, 1718, 

In Hope, 

DEPARTED, 

August 30, 1778. 

"The United Brethren, or Moravians, derive 
their origin from the Greek Church in the 9th 
century. The Society, as at present, was 
placed on a permanent foundation in 1722, by 
Count Zinzendorf, a German nobleman. At 
the commencement of the last century, after 
more than 200 of their congregations had been 
destroyed or dispersed by persecutions in Mo- 
ravia, a small remnant found refuge on his es- 
tates in Saxony, and through his patronage 
built llernhut, now Ihcir hirgest settlemenJ. 
Count Zinzendorf, the instrument of renewing 
their church, was subsequently consccratod one 
of their Bi.-bopa, and from thenceforth devotjd 
his life to the cause. Individuals of all relig- 
ious denominations united with tbem, and gave 
rise to such a diversity of sentiment, that it was 
considered judicious to unite upon some general 
rules of agreement. Accordingly, under the 
guidance of the Count, certain articles of union 
were concuircd in, which omitting the distinc- 
tive doctrines of the various Protestant denom- 
inations, alopted only the generally adniUted 
fundamental truths of Scripture. The United 
Brethren, therefore, object to being considered 
as a separate sect, inasmuch as their own pecu- 
liarities arise principally from their social or- 
ganization. Individuals of all Protestant de- 
nominations, consequently, have always been 
admitted into their communities without re- 
nouncing their peculiar creeds. Discussions 
relating to the Trinity, and other speculative 
truths are carefully avoided, but they make 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



79 



the merits of the Saviour the principal tbeuiu 
of their discourses, and the only ground uf sal- 
vation. High wrought emotions engendered 
by momentary impulses, are not considered as 
sure testa of piety as a daily upright and hum- 
ble deportment. The Moravian Church is 
Episcopal, and has a liturgy, but their Bishops 
possess no pre-emiucni authority. 

•'The Brethren early turned their attention 
to this country, with the view oT propagating 
the gospel among the Indians. In 1735 they 
temporarily established themselves in Savan- 
nah, but abandoned and returned (?) to Penn- 
sylvania, in consequence of being obliged, if 
they remained, of taking up arms with the 
Spaniards against the English. Here it was, 
it is believed, that the great founder of Metho- 
dism, John Wesley, became acquainted with 
them, from whom he imbibed some of his pecu- 
liar sentiments. In 1741 they settled near the 
forks of the Delaware. Count Zinzendorf, then 
on a missionary tour in America, visited this 
place at Christmas, in that year, and lodged in 
a log hut attached to which was a stable. From 
this circumstance the name of Bethlehem was 
given to the settlement. 

"The Count was undoubtedly pre-eminently 
fitted for a pioneer iu the cause, lie is repre- 
sented to have been one of the most extraordi- 
nary divines that has appcare-' since the Re- 
formation — a man of fervent piety, powerful 
imagination, original genius, and extensive re- 
quirements, and a sound, though perhaps, 
eccentric theologian. In his portrait he was 
dresseil in a plain, single-breastod ccjat, a man- 
tle partially thrown over the shoulder, and a 
white cravat, gathered in a simple fold; the 
hair dark, smoothly parted on the left side, and 
hanging in graceful ringlets down the neck 
and shoulders ; the forehead high and even; 
eye penetrating; nose, long and aquiline; 
mouth large, but well formed, and the general 
expres!>ion highly intellectual, denoting purity 
of thought and benevolence. When here, he 
travelled much among the Indians, generally 
on horseback, but not unfVequently on foot. 
Once or twice he narrowly escaped being slain 
by them. 

'' No people have probably done so much in 
the cause of missions, in proportion to their 
means, as the Moravians. The sufferings and 
devotedness of their missionaries have been 
without a parallel, and many interesting anec- 
dotes are given of them. They have gone 
forth single-handed and unknown, among the 
savage population of the West Indies, tl»e sour, 
licentious hordes of Greenland, and the savages 
of our own country. la some instances (cm, in 



others nearly ^/(y years have elapsed ere they 
saw any fruit; yet they continued to labor, full 
of faith, struggling against misrepresentations, 
suffering and loss of life. 

" The number of missionaries, with their 
wives, employed in 183S, was 230. These had 
51,000 souls under their care, of whom 16,000 
were communicants. Owing to their simple 
mode of living, and the practice, ia some in- 
stances, of supporting themselves by personal 
labor, this great scheme of missionary effort 
has been conducted on a very economical 
scale. The annual outlay of the Society for 
the support of their 42 stations, pensions to 
returned missionaries and widows, and the 
education and apprenticing of their children, 
and other expenses, amounts to about $50, 
000. 

"There are at present in the United States 
several societies of Moravians, besides their in- 
dependent communities; but as they do not 
come under their social regulations, cannot iu 
the fullest sense be considered as belonging to 
them. Their communities are at Bethlehem, 
Nazareth, and Litiz, in Pennsylvania, and at 
Salem, in North Carolina. 

" Bethlehem, their largest town, has about 
1000 inhabitants, who are mainly of German 
descent, and speak and worship in that lun- 
guag.\ The village is romantically located, 
compactly built, and combines the attractions 
of both town and country. Their government 
is administered by a Board elected biennially. 
The land belongs to the Society, and is let out 
for building-lots, and other purposes, at a tri- 
fling annual rent. This enables them to keep 
their village free from unworthy persons; but 
they ever admit of the temporary' residence of 
such as are willing to conform to their exterual 
regulations. The inhabitants are engaged in 
the usuol mechanical, mercantile and agricultu- 
ral employments, and some have acquired con- 
siderable property. It was formerly the custom 
here, and is still in Germany, to have separate 
establishments for sueh as had not families, 
viz., the ' Single Brethren's House,* for young 
men and apprentices, where they lived and 
carried on their respective employments; the 
' Sister's House,' for the abode of unmarried 
' females; and the * Widow's House.' But as 
, the Society has increased ia wealth, the ncces- 
j sity for them has vanished, and it is believed 
■ they do n>.t now exist any where in the Ui:inn. 
I "Meetings are held every evening in the 
I week. Sunday mornings the litany is read, 
and a sermon delivered in the church; services 
are also performed iu the evening. Ccrtai i 
festival da^s, such as Easter, Penticost, Christ- 



80 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



mas, Ac, are celebrated. As usual among the 
Germans, great attention is paid to music j and 
almost every dwelling has its piano, and it 
forma one of the most interesting features of 
their public worsriip. Before the Lord's Supper 
they have a Love Feast, when all assemble ex- 
pressly to listen to vocal and instrumental mu- 
sic, interspersed with hymns, in which the con- 
gregation join, while they partake of a cup of 
coffee, tea, or chocolate, and light cakes, in 
token of fellowship and Ijrotherly union. Easter 
morning is devoted to a solemnity of a peculiar 
kind. At sunrise the congregation assemble in 
the grave-yard; a service accompanied by music, 
is celebrated, expressive of the joyful hopes of 
immortality and resurrection, and a solemn com- 
memoration of those who in the course of the 
last year, have gone to heaven. 

" Soon as a person dies the event is announced 
by solemn instrumental music, from a band 
stationed in the church tower. Different tunes 
are played, signifying the sex, age, and condi- 
tion of the deceased, so it then usually is known 
who is dead. These death hymns, sounding m 



they always do, upon the still morning or even 
ing air, must have a singularly melancholy 
effect upon the hearer, reminding him that ho 
too is mortal. Their funeral services are usually 
performed in the Church, from thence the con. 
gregation march to the grave preceded by a 
band of music. If the deceased is a female, the 
ladies follow first after the coffin, if a male, the 
reverse. They ci'nsider death as no evil, but 
the entrance to eternal bliss, and therefore do 
not mourn for friends, nor wear insignia of 
grief. In alluding to the departed, they use 
the expression " hiitu gehcn," signifying that 
they have gone home. The grave-yard, like 
most of this denomination, is laid out as a gar- 
den, and planted with trees, under which are 
seats for visitors. The graves are void of the 
disagreeable coffin-like shape of our own, but 
resemble flower-beds, and in many cases are 
covered with myrtle and other ornamental 
plants. The monuments are small slabs, laid 
horizontally on the graves, the inscriptions 
uppermost, and bearing simply the name, age, 
and place of decease," 



B E T II L E II r: M, 1M-: N N S Y L V A N I A. 



81 




BETHLEHEM. 



CHAPTER X. 
Moravian Memories. — Modern Bethlehem. 
— THE Old Grave Yard. — Funeral Cere- 
monies of the Moravians. — Tschoop. — Ta- 

DErSKUNG, anecdote OF THE ChIEF, THE FI- 
GURE ON Indian Rock on the AVissahicon. — 
David Nitschmann. — Dr. Robert Dudley 
Boss. — Mourning Dress not worn by the 
Moravians. — The Passing Bell. — Easter 
Morning Celebration. — Drives^ Walks, 

AND PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR BeTHLEHEM. 

— Dr. Maurice C. Jones and tueFremden- 
eiener's, — Moravians in early times. 

MORAVIAN MEMORIES. 

BY GEN. WM. EMIt DOSTER. 1S5G. 

There yon Church tuwer'a summits high and ho;iry, 
Point, like griiy-inantled Prophets, up towards the eky 
"Where speaks yon dome Moravia 3 olden glory, 

S9rene and high. 

There sounds mysterious, soul-enthralling numhers, * 
Melting in sunlight, as sad Mcmuon's voice of old — 
Soft as the mermaid's strain tUat wooes the twilight 
slumbers, 

- Are geutly rolled. 

Ye have heard them blendiog with your matiu dream- 

Yo have caught their carols lingering o'er the lea. 
Ye have heard thtm tell, in voices more than seeming' — 
"'Tis well with me!" 

Yet fraught, thoss strains, with wild and fearful mean- 
ing, 
The list'ners pause, and muse with wondiring tread — 

* The Tromhnne choir aunounting a death from the 
steeple of the Church. 



Ilath liL-re the reaper paused, — forever gleaning 

Amongst the dead? 

Yes; to a holier, calmer meditation 

Some soul has passed — some spirit of our love 

Wakened amidst that wondrous revelation 

That w.iits above ! 

Gone,— gone forever ! Brother! well betide thee 1 
Sing on where lioUer lays shall call thee blest ; 
Singon 'till we attoUL' our harps beside thee 

In peaceful rest. 

And eacli departed hath its own sweet token, f 
AVhippered to loved ones in that trumpet tone, 
Distilling dew o'er hearts with sorrow broken — 

From Heav'uly home. 
Memento beautiful ! that breathest consolation ; 
No shrieking, clanging, horror-broodiug knell, 
Nor hail'st despair, nor sick'niug desolation 

Like tolling bell. 

glorious ritual ! Essence of Heaven's creation 
In melody to mourn the sainted dead. 
Pouring, like Israel's bard, his harp's oblation 

O'er Absalo-ii's head. 

Elysian lyres, ye are fountains forever flowing 
O'er drooping flowers — echoes of angel's choirs, 
Where white-robed souls are chanting, and forever 
glowing 

With Heavenly fires I 
And still sublimer far, ya sound to sad afl!liction 
As wild as trump, triumphant o'er the blast, 
Shall sound to our great final resurrection 

Creation's last I 

That Grave- yard chant on resurrection morningj 
Floating like peon towards tlT uprising sun^ 
Emblem of Christ's triumphant Earth returning — 
The slauchtersd One I 

f Each class has itspeculiarhymn tune performed by 
the Trombonists. There are eifiht classes. 

JEaster morning celebration in the Grave Yard, 



11 



I S T 11 I C A L SKETCH OF 



Thoee voices, too, nppocr !il:--> "ary's ivpcpi'is- 
Her tearful or ring o'er her Saviour's tomb- 
Singing above the beds of miustrel's sleepuii; 

In ritavenly bloom, 

TlKit ttraud oU; anCieni, rii.le of Christmas even,* 
Around you Church's arches carolled near and far : 
.^ueh songs snug th' angelic hosts, hailiug on orient 
heuvi-n 

That morning Star 1 

Phnll these all perish like the dewcf morning. 
To vapory homes recalleJ,— to Islaads far away ; 
Or shall their fragrance hallowed Earth adorning 
Endure for aye? 

Yes, let these melodies forever breathe their nurabers- 

ICxalt my soul to purer, nobler love. 

Till I awake the harp that never slumbeis. 

In realms above ! 



Then 8W(cp o'er my soul with entrancing emotion, 
When they carry me there where the willow's sad wave. 
O. chant one last dirge, ere I sleep in Lethe's ocean. 
And dicam it's last echo in the gloom of the grave. 

Bethlehem is not no-sv, as in clays of old, 
approached from the south through a wood, 
by a bridle-path, or by the rough stage route, 
but by the more modern innovation of the 
" North Pennsylvania Railroad." The train, 
on leaving Hellertown— famous for its trout 
inul trout suppers— winds around the eastern 
base of the Lehigh Mountains, on the south 
side of the river of that name; and to the 
north-west, situated on a declivity, you see 
tlie houses, schools, and churches of that 
famous old town. 

The first object that particularly attracts 
ihe eye, is the imposing school edifice, situ- 
ated on the top of the hill. Near it looms 
up in the distance, the spire of the large Mo- 
ravian church, and the belfry, from wliioh 
the trombones sound the call to that joyous 
festival, llie "Love Feast," or announce the 
death of one of the members of the breth- 
ren's church. Sounding from on high iu 
th3 air, the sad, yet sweet dirges of the trom- 
bones, fill the hearer with a pleasing melan- 
clioly. It is one of those outward religious 
ceremonies which the Moravians still ob- 
serve. May ii long be cherished, and ever 
remain as a mark of their gentle faith, far 
tco many of the forms and time-honored cus- 
toms of the Church, have been abandoned, 
by the town and people becoming American- 
ized. 

*liev. F. F. Hasan's beautiful authi'm—'- Morning 
gtar the darkness break."' 



It is related, ••That once upon a time," 
when a br.nd of hostile Indians had at night- 
fall secreted themselves on the south bank of 
the Lehigh, witli the intent to destroy the 
place, and massacre its inhabitants, one of 
the brethren having died, the trombones, as 
usual, were sounded from the belfry of the 
Church, to communicate the loss to tlie in- 
fant settlement. Those sad, sweet dirges, 
three in number, announcing the sex, age, 
and condition in life, of the departed, breath- 
ed in mournful cadences upon the evening 
air, like the wailing tones of an .^olean 
harp, falling Uf on the ears of the lurking 
superstitious savages— who were watching 
the rites of their Medicine jl/«»— seemed to 
them to be a warning from the Great Spirit. 
Thrilled with terror, they deserted their am- 
buscade, aUndoncd their murderous project, 
and with silent, rapid steps, plunged into the 
depths of the forest, and soon left far behind 
them the spot and people protected, as they 
supposed, by the great JIanllou." 

The air of Bethlehem is provocative of a 
good appetite, and it must be confessed, that 
the inhabitants encourage it as much as pos- 
sible, and then endeavor, with the utmost 
success, to gratify the desires they have ex- 
cited. The housekeepers are all excellent 
cooks, and provide abundantly. Visions of 
" ajiple cake," •' Mo.avian aiifjiir cake," and 
other delicacies that continue to provoke the 
appetite after the solids have been eaten, still 
linger in the memory. For good living, bettor 
cannot be had than is obtained in the Hotels 
of this ancient borough. 

The first visit of the stranger iu Bethle- 
hem, is naturally to the Moravian Cemetery, 
situated near the centre of the town, and oc- 
cupying about five acres of ground. It is 
handsomely laid out with walks intersecting 
each other at right angles, having trees of va- 
rious kinds planted on the borders, principal- 
ly consisting of Poplar, Locust, Maple and 
Dog- wood. 



" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's ^hade, 
■Where heaves the turf iu many a moulJering heap ; 

Each in his narrow cell forever laid— 
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 

This sacred spot is entirely free from all 



E i; T ll L E H S M, P E N N S y L V A X I A. 



£3 



those ghastly momunents usually erected in 
burial grounds, to beautify them; but which 
render them j^laccs to be avoided by the sen- 
sitive, and fill tUocasual visitor with a thrill 
of dread in the day time, and with sensations 
of horror in the night; and sometimes scare 
the wits out of nervous people. It is said 
that on one occasion lately, it being neces- 
sary to change the place of repose of a de- 
l>arted brother, the grave-digger took advan- 
tage of a fine moonlight night to effect that 
purpose; it was quite late at niglil, and on 
reaching the coffin he found it would be ne- 
cessary to have a rope, for which he dis- 
jiatched his son, who was assisting hiiu, but 
who remained away so long on the errand, 
the old man became very inij)atient; hear- 
ing at last footsteps approaching on one of 
the walks near him, he supposed it was his 
dilatory assistant; stripped of his coat, in 
his white shirt sleeves, his hat off, and his 
long white hair streaming in the wind, ho 
raised up from the grave his tall white 
ghostly-looking figure, and with his deep 
voice sarcastically said, " Komat den laid?" 
(i.e.), nrc yov. coining soon? Imagine the ter- 
ror of the belated wanderer, who was taking 
a short cut home — a yell, a rush of footsteps, 
and a wild jump which cleared the paling of 
I ho enclosure, was the answer to this sum- 
mons from the grave. 

Tlie bravest-hearted would naturally hesi- 
tate about passing a night alone in the Ceme- 
teries of Laurel Hill, or the Woodlands, in 
Philadelphia, or in any of those in our large 
cities, no matter how beautiful they might 
be in broad daylight ; but in Bethlehem, the 
children play all day in the grave-yard, and 
go home at night with reluctance. Ladies 
sit on the benches in the shade at their sew- 
ing, at all hours of the day; and at night 
lovers oft wander under the trees, and linger 
si<le by side in this lovely place, forgetting 
all but themselves; even the fact that they 
are in a jdaee sacred to the departed. All 
this is easily accounted for; the Moravians 
have striven to make their gt-ave-yards as 
attractive as possible, and they have succeed- 
ed in that in which all the rest of the world 



have failed ; and it is very pleasant to know- 
that it is so. Each grave is marked by a 
small marble slab, about a foot and a half by 
two feet in size, laid flat upon it; emblematic 
that death levels all, and that all are alike. 
Each stone has cut upon it the name, age. 
and birth-place of the departed. If a mar- 
ried woman, her maiden name. Sometimes 
a verse of a h3'mn,or a quotation from the 
Scrij^tures is addeil. Elowers are planted on 
many of the graves, and vases with wreaths 
and bouquets of flowers arc common tokens of 
affection to be seen on the little slabs that 
cover the remains of some loved one, gone 
fi'om the earth forever. Time soon takes oil 
fi-om the marble tablets their glaring white- 
ness ; the grass grows around them, and they 
are almost hidden from the sight, and the 
visitors see only blooming flowers, trailing 
vines, luxuriant grasses, waving ti'ees, and 
comfortable benclies to sit upon. They hear 
the songs of the birds, see the children play- 
ing upon the walks, and lured by the beauty 
and novelty of the scene, forget entirely 
where the}' are, or to be sad and mournful. 
And thus the Moravian grave-yard becomes 
a place of cheerful resort to the living, and 
the sweetest spot on earth in which to place 
the remains of the loved ones who have gone 
home. Beneath dear Bethlehem's sky may 
my remains to earth committed be, when 
this life's weary journey 's o'er. 

Although IIei.ve has so sadly, yet so sweet- 
ly sung in immortal verse : 

'• W(! wird eiust des WaLilermmlen 
Lotzte ruhestatte seiu ? 
UiitcT Palim-n in di-m Snclen? 
tJnter Liudea an ciem Rlit-in ? 

"Werd' ich wo ineiner'Wustn 

Eingescharrt von jrenider Hand? 
Oder ruh* ich an der Kn^to 
Kiues Meere3 in dem Sand ? 

" Iraniorhin ! mich wird uragebon 

Ootteshimmel, dort wie liier, 

Uiid als Todtenlarapen schwebeii 

Naclita die Stfrue uber niir ."' 



'• Wiicre fliall tlien this weary wanderer, 
Wlien the sonl is parted, lie ? 

Under cool and dusky Lindeuji, 
M'itli tlie bhie HIiiDO sweeping by? 

Or wiiere stately Palms are waviu;; 

'Gainst tUo tdoudlesa Southern sliy ? 



84 



II I s T r, I c A L s K i: T r n of 



'■ Shall a grave be f isliioned Tt me, 

By :i cold anil alien haiiil— 
■\Vlierc no bird will sing iibovf nii^ 

In tlult wild and dcaert laud? 
Or, till' lonely shore receive mo 

'Xeath the sea-coast's barren sand? 

" Let me rest^God's heaven above nic, 
Full of love, Bliall ever be— 
In this world— and that immortal. 

Ah ! my Spirit will be free — 
And like Dealh's pale lamps will quiver, 
Solemn niglit-stars over me.'' 

The men and women are placed in sepa- 
rate divisions of the ground, in regular or- 
der, the heads to the north. The first 
interments of the bodies wore evidently 
oommenced at the north-west corner of 
the grave-yard; and one can read the names 
of the ancient fathers of the Church, or of 
some Indian convert, buried there. At first 
the tomb-stones were very small, and con- 
tained only the number of the interment on 
them 

Those who love the neat simidicity of the 
Moravian system of burial, will perceive 
with regret, that in later years the Memorial 
Stones upon the graves are being made larger 
and larger; and are led to fear that the 
Church will at some future day depart from 
their ancientcustom in this regard, and adopt 
the monumental piles of masonry used by 
other sects, which are only evidences of the 
pride and wealth of the living, and not 
marks of esteem for the dead. 

At the eastern extremity of the Cemetery 
is a large grove of trees, a famous resort for 
flocks of birds of all kinds, but particularly 
the Black-birds, who make it their especial 
roosting-place at nights; although you may 
see there the beautiful Baltimore Oriole, 
Robins, Flickers, Thrushes, Cedar-birds and 
other kinds. Towards sunset they begin to 
arrive by flocks, squads, or in pairs, and set- 
tle in the trees, each kind of birds take pos- 
session of different trees, from which they 
make raids on each other, causing the air to 
resound with therushing noise of their wings 
as they wheel in rapid flight, or with their 
twittering cries and songs, till the evening 
is far spent; in the morning the ground, and 
walks are covered with their beautiful feath- 
ers, which soon become the S])oiI of the child- 



ren. Nothing in Bethlehem is more illustra- 
tive of the peaceful character of its people 
than this icene. The birds seem to know 
that they will not be harmed, and the place 
is always full of them, even in day time, es- 
pecially the Robins, which arc so tame tliat 
they scarcely seem disturbed by the jiroseni^c 
of human beings. 

Immediately adjoining this grove in the 
garden of Doctor Abraham Stout, stands an 
old majestic ^I'ne tree, which, although shorn 
of some of its lower limbs by vandal hands, 
and a portion of its upper trunk by the 
fierce storms of winter, is still a prominent 
object in an approaching view of Bethle- 
hem, and a thing of great interest to the 
towns people. In the early Spring, flocks 
of Black-birds fill its branches with their 
nests, and the Orioles swing there their 
gourd-like Summer home; where high in air 
they are secure from molestation. A very 
handsome stereoscopic view of the " oldPine 
tree," is included in Kleckner's views of 
Bethlehem ; and in the Moravian of March 
22d, 1800, the "oldest inhabitant" thus re- 
lates its history: 

" Aboutthe year 1703, twocitizens of Beth- 
lehem, viz.: the late Joseph Horeficld and 
Frederii:k Fuehrer, made a trip to the Poco.»to 
Mountains. On their return they observed 
many small Pine trees growing at the way- 
side. Mr. Horsfield said to his friend " come 
let us pull up a couple of these, and plant 
them when we come home, we may perhaps 
live to see them grow up large enough to 
furnish wood for our coffins." Theybrought 
two along, Mr. Fuehrer planted his a short 
distance east of the late "Old Crown Inn." 
lie survived the tree by three days. It was 
blown down by a storm. The other one now 
standing was planted by Mr. Horsfield. The 
ground upon which it stands was formerly 
known as his nursery. 

"Have pity on the Black-birds! they are 
becoming more domesticated than formerly. 
They may steal a few seeds from your gar- 
dens, but at the same time they relieve us 
from the thousands of insects more to be 
dreaded than all theharmdone by the birds. 
Prudent farmers of the present day welcome 



HETIILEnEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



8.-, 



tlie appearance of the Black-birds, ami even 
entice them with food. 

" May we not, with very slight change, ad- 
dress Bryant's words to the water fowl, to 
these birds in their migrations hitherward 
- AH (lay your wings have fannM, 

.\t that far height tlio colt], tliin atnioephere, 
Yft stoop not weary, to welcome land, 
Thongh the dark night is near." 

* .\nd soon that toil shall end, 

Soon shall you find a Summer home, and rest; 
.\nd scream among your fellows— Pines shall bend 
Soon o'er your sheltered nest." 

And add the moral : 

lie. who from zone to zone. 

Guides through the boundless sky your certain flight 
In the h)ng way we must tread alone. 

Will load onr steps aright." 

In the north-western part of the Cemetery, 
in that portion of the ground allotted to the 
men, will be found the graves of many In- 
dian converts. Among them, conspicuous by 
having at its head a rose bush, that in Sum- 
mer bears a white rose, which was planted 
there by Miss Mary Eyre, a daughter of the 
late Manuel Eyre, lie the remains of Tschoop, 
said to be the father of Uncas, who, under tlie 
name of Ckin rjacli gook, is one of tlie char- 
acters in Cooper's series of novels, called 
" Leather Stocking Tales." The tomb-stone 
bears the following inscription. 
"In Memory of 
Tschoop,— a Mohican Indian, 
Who in holi/ baptism, April ITih, 1742, 
receiced the name of 
Jonx. 
One of the first Jruits of the 
Mission at shekomeko, and a 
remarkahU instanct nf the power 
of divine grace, wherehy he 
hecame a distinguished teacher 

among his nation. 
He departed this life in full 
assurance of faith at Bethlehem 
AugustTith, 1T47. 
'' There shall be one fold 
and one Shepherd. — John x. 16.'' 
Tlicre are altogether 58 Indian converts 
buried in the Cemetery. A ludicrous anec- 
dote is told of the celebrated Indian Chief 
Tadtuskiinij, a ^loraviau convert. "While the 



Chief was on a visit to Philadelphia, after 
his conversion, he was found one Monday 
morning, by a well known Friend, Anlhoni/ 
Benezet, sitting on a curbstone, in Market 
street, with his feet in the gutter — very 
drunk. " Why, Tademkung, I thought thee 
was a good Moravian ?" said the Friend ; 
" Ugh I Chief no Moravian now. Chief joined 
Quaker meeting yesterday," replied the fa- 
cetious savage. 

Tadensknng is described as having been a 
tall, portly Indian Chief, proud of his posi- 
tion as the leader of the Delawares, or Lenni 
Lenape tribe ; an earnest talker about his 
State and Nation, and over-fond of " fire- 
water." The Delawares once roamed over 
our hills in pursuit of game, or held their 
Councils in the valleys of the Wissahieon 
and Manatawna, as the Schuylkill was origin- 
ally called. Man-a-taw-na, (i. e.) the place 
where they drank. 

On the eastern side of Wissahieon Creek, 
nearly opposite the "Indian Eock" Hotel, 
may be seen the figure of an Indian chief 
fastened upon the face of a high perpendicu- 
lar rock, which commands a fine view of the 
surrounding country. This rock is peculiar, 
having a pulpit-like recess formed by nature 
in its perpendicular front, with astone table 
'in the centre like a pulpit desk, which tra- 
dition says, was used by the Chief ( Tadeus- 
kimg) when addressing his tribe. From the 
papers of Joseph Eastburn Mitchell, one of 
Philadelphia's antiquarians, to whom tlio 
public is indebted, in a great measure, for 
this memorial to that celebrated Indian 
Chieftain ; much of the information here 
given concerning him is due. Mitchell spells 
the old Chieftain's name Tedi/uscung, but I 
have preferred to follow Cranz ; see his His- 
tory of the Brethren, page 476. The figure 
of the Indian Chief was placed there on 
the 18th of July, 1856, in commemoration of 
Tadeuskung's last visit to the spot, which oc- 
curred just 100 years previous, and is said to 
be a correct representation of a Delaware 
Chief. This "Indian Kock" and "Indian 
Hill," as it is called, on which it is situat.d, 
was venerated by Indians as a place sacrtd 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



to the Great Spirit, and Tadeuahung and his 
band of warriors often frequented the spot ; 
endeared to all the tribe, as the place where 
their forefathers had offered up their sacri- 
fices to the great ilanltoti ; for the Leiini 
Lenape's were the former owners of all these 
lands, from the Delaware to the foot of the 
" Endless" mountains. 

Of the old Chief it may be said : 

** Once a mighty Chief, whose many bands 
Hanged freely o'er these ahadcd lands ; 
But now there's scarcely left a trace 
To inind us of that faded race !'' 

And of the Bed Men who once lived here, 
it truly has been written : 

" that all have passed away, 

The noble race — and brave ; 
That their light canoes have vanished. 

Prom off the crested wave 

That 'mid the forests where they roamed. 

There rings no hunter's shout ; 

But, their name is on your waters, 

Ye may not wa^h it out. 

Kear the grave of Tschoop, towards the 
west, are interred the remains of the Foun- 
der of Bethlehem, and upon the tablet dedi- 
cated to his memory, is engraved : 

" PAVID NITSCHMAN 
FOUNDER* 

of Bethlehem, who felled the first tree, and 

built the first house. 

Born September 18th, 1676, 

IS MOHAVIA, 

Died April 14th, 1758. 

This second 
Memorial was erected 
June 1853." 
On the 22nd of February 1751, Johanna, 
the first wife of the very Eev. Bishop John 
Nitsehman,Sr., dejiarted this life at Bethle- 
hem. Her husband was then the ruling 
spirit liere, being the successor of Upanrjen- 
herij. She was an extraordinary woman, one 
of the eighteen single women, who at Hern- 
hut, formed that covenant, out of which grew 

* The above, commonly known as '• Father Nitscli- 
mnn," page 6, was the Master-builder. Ills nephew. 
Bishop David Nitschman, was the Founder, see p.age 
69, also the '-Transactions of the Sloniviau Historical 
£ociety, ' page 125, in a note. 



the class, or choir, of" Single Sisters" of the 
Moravian Church. She was buried in the 
(then) exact centre of this old burial ground, 
in the middle path. 

The middle path was then the second one 
from Market Street, running east and west. 
Mrs. Nitschman was the I53rd person buried 
in those grounds. The mound over the grave 
was subsequently levelled, owing to the fact, 
that it was in the path, and became en- 
croached upon, and the tablet defaced. She 
was laid there because of her exemplary 
christian life and character. She was then , 
and still is called " a hand-maiden of the Lamh ,•" 
and by some, '■ The Congregation's Mother;" 
and her memory is honored in the church. 
She was thus buried, not at herown request, 
but by those in authority, as an honor, and 
a bright example to others. Her grave is 
directly opposite (north of) Ko. 114, and 
south of No. 109. 

In the north-eastern portion of the Ceme- 
tery is a stone, on which is the following : 
" Louis David 

De SCHWEISITZ, 

Senior Ctvilis. 
He was born 
The 13th of February, 17S0, 
at Bethlehem, Pa. 
Departed this life 
the Sth of January, 1S.34." 
lu the southern section of the ground, set 
apart for the males, beneath the shade of the 
grand old American tulip trees, which orna- 
ment this quiet homeofthe departed ones,l;e 
the remains of a boyhood friend and fellow ■ 
student— Robert Dudley Ross, M. D.,a neph- 
ew of John Eoss, the late celebrated Chief of 
the Cherokee nation. The grave of the old 
Chief's eldest son, James McDonald Eoss, is 
near by. The inseripaon on his tomb is very 
singular. 

Bethlehem was until very lately, the resi- 
dence of many families, descendants of the 
American Indians. 

Among the Indian converts buried in this 
old Cemetery, there is one particularly de- 
serving remembrance, namely ; the aged 
Brother Micuael. In his younger days, this 



n K T II L E n E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



r7 



old Savage, was one of the most experienced 
and undaunted warriors of the Munsey tribe, 
lie was baptised in 1742, and led until his 
deatli, a consistent christian life. He was 
styled "The crown of the Indian Mission." 
The serenity of his countenance, when laid 
in his coffin, formed a singular contrast to 
the warlike characters scarified and tattooed 
upon his face when he was a noted Indian 
brave. On his right cheeli and temple was 
the representation of a rattlesnake ; from 
theunder lip a pole was drawn, passing over 
the nose and up between the eyes to the toji 
of his forehead, ornamented at every quarter 
of au inch with round marks, intended to 
represent the number of scalps he had tak- 
en ; upon his left cheek two lances, crossing 
each other appeared ; and upon the lower 
jaw was delineated the head of a wild-boar. 
All these figures were executed with a re- 
markable degree of artistic skill. He died 
July 25th, 1758. 

The funeral ceremonies of the Moravians a re 
of a peculiar character. The coffin contain- 
ing the remains of the departed, is generally 
placed in the "Dead House," a neat little 
building back of the church, and in front of 
the "Old Chapel." After the funeral servi- 
ces in the church, appropriate to the occa- 
sion, the coffin is placed on a bier, covered 
with a white linen cloth, and taken part of 
the way up the path towards the cemetery, 
where it is then set down atthe northeastern 
corner of a square plot of ground, in the cen- 
tre of which is growing now a magnificent 
■weeping willow ; each side of this square is 
bounded by gravelled walks, on which the 
mourners take their stand, forming in mili- 
tary parlance, a hollow square, the family 
of the departed one, forming the eastern 
line. The Minister stands at the head of the 
bier, and reads aloud the following hymn, 
line by line, and the congregation sing it, 
accompanied by the trombones : 

" Oh, let me when expiring, 
Recline vpon Thy hrcast ; 
Thus I shall be acquirinf/. 
Eternal life and rest," 

When this is finished, the procession 



moves on to the place of interment, where 
the corpse being placed beside the grave 
tlie Minister says : 

" Lord have mercy upon us." 
And the people respond : 

" Christ have nxerzy upon us. 

Lord Lave mercy upou us. 

Christ liear us'^ 

Then follows the Lord's prayer, with the 
solemn Litany : 

LordOod, Son, Saviour of the world, 
Be gracious unto us. 
By thy human bir:h. 
By tby prayers and tears, 

Bless and amifort us. 

Lord and God. 

Lord God, Holy Ghost, 

Abide with us forever. 

Then follows the prayer, beginning : " I 

am the resurrection and the life, saith the 

Lord, Ac." After which the assembly sing, 

to the aeeompanimcntof the trombone choir ; 

" Kow to the earth let these remains, 

In hope committed be. 
Until the body- changed attains 
To immortality." 

During the singing of this verse, the body 
is deposited in its last resting place; and 
after the Minister has read the remainder o 
the solemn service, the people sing : 

" T/ie Saviour^s blood and riphteousnrss, 
My beauty is, my glorious dress ; 
Thus well orray'd, Ineed not fear, 
^yhen in His presence I appear." 

And then the congregation are dismissed 
by the Pastor with the usual benediction ; 
and some linger long around the sacred spot, 
endeared to so many of them by sad and 
tender recollections, of their loved ones bu- 
ried there. 

The mournful accompaniment of the trom- 
bones on such occasions, never fails to remind 
the hearer of the beautiful lines of the Epis- 
copal burial service : 1 Cor., xv, 51-2. 

" Behold I show you a mystery : we shall 
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in 
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the 
last trump ; for the trumpet sh.all sound, and 
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we 
shall be changed." 



88 



niSTOKICAL SKETCH OF 



*^^ I'd gladly hear the trombone's sound, 
I'd gladly sink heneath ^he ground^ 
And mingU with (lie dead who lie, 
So still beneath this BethUhem sly." 

The Moravians do not put ou mourning fur 
the dead, they consider it wrong in princi- 
ple, deeming Heaven the final abode of all 
God's choseu creatures j they esteem it a 
lilessing "to go home." 

This is an example which it would be well 
for all other denominations to follow; for 
independent of the fact that the wearing of 
mourning is but an outward show, it is an 
useless expense, even to those in comfortable 
circumstances, while many others who can 
ill afford the outlay in this regard, spend 
the means to be in the /atshion, which, are 
needed for the common necessaries of life. 
The pomp, parade, and expense, of funeral 
displays, are much to be deplored, their ef- 
fect is vicious, for the poor will imitate their 
wealthier neighbors. 

It in the custom in Bethlehem, to an- 
nounce the death of a member of the congre 
gation by the music of the trombones, per- 
formed in the belfry of the church ; no matter 
where they may die. 

" And each departed hath its own sweet iolen^ 

Whispered to loved ones in that trumpet's tone, 
Distilling dew o'er hearts with sorrow hroken, 
From heav'nly home" 

Three dirges are always performed, the 
first and last being the same air, (T, lal. A.) 
and are selected from the appropriateness of 
those hymns for such an occasion. The se- 
cond air is varied, as it designates the sex, 
and condition in life of the deceased, or in 
Moravian phraseology, the choir to which 
the departed belonged. In the German Li- 
turgy Book, where the order for these an- 
nouncements of death are given, (pages 217, 
218 and 219,) the hymn which suits for each 
choir is appended ; and by the old Moravian 
i s at once recognized. They are as follows : 

H.T. D. for Married Men. 

79. ^' Married Women. 

1^2. A. " Widowers. 
149. A. " Widows. 
185. *' The Single Brethren. 



37. A. for The Single Sisters 
23. " Youths. 

14. A. " Maidens. 
39. A. " Little Boys. 
82. D. •• Little Girls. 

The following interesting account from the 
Moravian of September, 24th, 18G8, will bet- 
terexplainthe meaningof the funeral dirges, 
which are as interesting to the strangers 
as they are dear to the Moravians : 

*' We will say that a brother in the middle 
age of life has departed. The sad event is 
soon after touchingly announced to the con- 
gregation, by the trombones, who ascending 
to the church tower, play at brief intervals, 
three solemn dirges. How affecting the soft 
funeral tones, attracting the attention of the 
most careless; the busy hum of life is for a 
moment arrested, as the hurried question is 
asked: — *' Who is dead?" The notes of the 
music are not blown at random. They give 
utterance, as it were, to a livingvoice. Each 
dirge has reference to a special hymn, which 
is expressive of particular declarations in 
reference to the departed, or of the prayerful 
wishes of the survivors. Thus the first 
hymn makes the announcement of the de- 
parture, which freely translated from the 
original German, is : 

A pilgrim soul released 

From sorrow, care, and pain, — 
Has e'en now left our covenant, 

" Gone home .'" with Christ to reign. 
The hour of consummation 

For him has struck,— thrice blest I 
"We wander still, — all weary, — 

Our lov'd one is at rest. 

The second dirge denotes the class, and pe ■ 
riod of life to which the deceased belonged, 
and intimates what are the sentiments of 
the dying Christian at the hour of depart- 
ure. The tune here is varied to suit the age 
and sex of the person. In the present in- 
stance, that of the man of middle life : 

Jesus Christ as I go hence 

Still is near me ! This inspireth 
Ever HviugconfiJenco 

Yea, — even as his love requireth 
Hope with dust, rests on my grave; 
Ills full likeness I shall have. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



89 



The closing dirge is to the same solemn 
tune as the first, and is the believer's practi- 
cal response to the sad announcement : 

Lord at my dissolution, 

Do not from me depart ; 
Support at tlie conclusion 

Of life, my fainting heart ; 
And then, though I be dying, 

'Midst sickness, grief and pain, 
I shall, on thee relying, 

Eternal life obtain. 

From June 2Sth, 1742, to February 9th, 
1853, or daring 111 years, 1672 persons died 
in Bethlehem and its Ticinity. 

The Moravians do not toll the bell at fu- 
nerals, but before the services are held in 
the church, the bell is rung in the usual 
manner to call the congregation together. 

On the tenor bell of the Parish Church of 
Abbott's Leigh, Somersetshire, England, are 
the words : 

" I to the Church the living call. 
And to the grave doth suninion all." 

The " Passisg Bell," was so named be- 
cause it was tolled when any one passed 
away from this life. Hence it was sometimes 
called tlie Soul's Betl, and was rung that 
those who heard it might pray for the soul 
of the dying person. This custom was con- 
tinued till the time of Charles II. ; it arose in 
the darkest ages. The ringing of bells was 
supposed to drive away the evil spirits which 
might assail the dying; the tolling of the 
bell, it was thought, struck them with terror. 

Now the " Passing Bell" is no longer rung 
in England, but on the morning after the 
death of any person, the bell is tolled; and 
at the end of the tolling in Yorkshire, and 
Dorsetshire, 9 knells are tolled for a man, 6 
for a woman, and 3 for a child. In Somer- 
setshire, 3 knells are tolled for a man, and 
only 2 for a woman. 

In some of the parishes of England it was 
customary to ring out the number of bells 
corresponding to the age of the person who 
had died. So says the author of " A Brave 
Lady," in chapter 12. And such was the 
custom in the parish of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church at Chester, Pennsylvania, in my 



boyhood. So that the announcement of 
death by the music of the trombones, by the 
Moravians, is but an observance of an an- 
cient custom of the Christian Church, al- 
though in another form. How old a custom 
it is, it would be difficult to say, but as horns 
were used before bells, it is without doubt 
the more ancient. 

On Easter morning at sunrise, the Mora- 
vian congregations assemble in their respec- 
tive grave-yards, and sing their Liturgy. A 
friend thus wrote on April 19th, 1867: "On 
Easter morning you will recollect, that we 
in Bethlehem generally go into tlie grave- 
yard, singing our Liturgy for the occasion. 
Mr. Jedediah Weiss, and Mr. Charles F. 
Beckel, will have played as members of the 
trombone choir for fifty years this Easter 
morning. This is a rare occurrence." Both 
of these fine old Moravian gentlemen are 
still living, in e.xoellent health, and have 
played in the choir three Easter mornings 
since the above was written ; may their 
days be long in the land. 

In this connection, the following may not 
be without interest : 

(Speci.al Correspondence of The Press.) 

Bethlehem, March 29, 1860. 
Yesterday morning being Easter Sunday, 
the accustomed Litany was performed, with 
other services, according to immemorial lo- 
cal practice, in the Moravian church, con- 
ducted by the Rev. E. de Schweiuetz, assisted 
by the Bev. L. R. Huebner, These services 
began at 5 A. M. in the church, with singing 
and the litany for Easter morning. By day- 
break the whole congregation, consisting of 
2,000 persons, proceeded to the burial-ground, 
preceded by the trombone choir, and a large 
open square was formed, after which, with 
musical accompaniment, the choir began 
with — 

The graves of all His saints Christ blest. 

Anil Boften'd evei-y bed ; 
Where should the dying members rest. 

But with the dying llead. 

There is another verse, after which the 
congregation joined in with 

Then let the last trumpet sound. 

And bid our kindrtd rise 
Awake, ye nations uniler ground. 

Ye buints, aaci-ud the tkiea 



90 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Theu the minister followeil, with excerpts 
from the Holy Scriptures, the congregation 
giving the '• Amen," the choir again chiming 
in, and the congregation, minister, and choir 
thus alternating to the close of this singu- 
larly interesting service." 

The following Obituary of a departed 
Brother, copied from the " Moravian," is in- 
serted here, that all may see how among the 
Moravians, a friend who hath left, is mourn- 
ed and honored : 

" Is Memoriam. 
Dej^arted this life at Bethlehem, Pa., Octo- 
ber 14th, 1S68, Amos Comenius Clauper, son 
of the Rev. Henry G. Clauder, and manager of 
the Moravian Publication Office. Aged thir- 
ty-three years. 

" Our deceased brother has left behind him 
a record of sterling virtues, and christian 
goodness, which will long remain a cherish- 
ed remembrance. Exemjilary in all the 
relations of domestic and social life, of a 
bright and cheerful temperament, an hon- 
orable and industrious man of business, a 
conscientious and devoted agent of the 
church, his loss will be widely felt, and felt 
more deeply as time elapses. 

* Sleep in peace ! 
All thy earthly toil must cease, 
For death's night hath closed around thee, 
And its peaceful slumbers bound thee, 
'Till His voice all eyes release. 

Sleep in Peace ! 

Sleep in peace I 
'Till the eternal morn appear ; 
By the risen Saviour's merit — 
Thou endless life inherit, 
By the power of His word 
Called to life. 

Besides the large Moravian church, and 
the Old Chapel, there are Lutheran, German 
Reformed, English and German Methodist, 
nd Catholic places of worshii> in Bethlehem. 
An Episcopal church is now spoken of, as 
intended to beerected atthecornerofMarket 
and High Streets. In South Bethlehem there 
is a handsome Episcopal church, and par- 
sonage adjoining, occupying a prominent 

* Sang at his funeral by the AuiON Socie- 
ty, of which he was a member." 



site; and also a handsome Catholic church, 
and a fine large Moravian church. The 
building known as " Christmas Hall," on the 
grounds of the Lehigh University, was for- 
merly a Moravian church. 

The Lutheran congregation have a large 
place of interment at High and Church Sts., 
adjoining Nisky-Hill Cemetery. It only 
needs a small expenditure, and someexercise 
of taste to make it a very pretty spot. 

Bethlehem, proper, covers quite a large 
area of ground on both sides of the Manoc- 
kasy Creek. That portion of the town south 
of the Lehigh River, being called " South 
Bethlehem," and incorporated under that 
name. The most interesting part, however, 
is that portion occupied by the old town, 
on the hill to the north of the river Lehigh, 
which is the old Bethlehem of history, 
containing the old Moravian buildings, 
churches, schools, stores, and the old tav- 
erns, made famous by the writings of trav- 
ellers. There are many handsome resi- 
dences, and many more very comfortable 
ones in this part of the town, nearly every 
dwelling has a fine yard and garden attached, 
containing many varieties of fruit trees. 
Fruit is raised in abundance in this section 
of the State, and in riding through the coun- 
try around, and by the hill farms, the stran- 
ger cannot fail to realize the fact. In the 
mountains, cherry trees abound, both wild 
and cultivated, their fruit serving to feed 
the small birds that are so numerous in the 
hills, and the country around Bethlehem, 
where they are not much disturbed fortu- 
nately, for game birds are very scarce in the 
Lehigh Valley, and consequen tly the country 
is not infested by sportsmen, who generally, 
when they cannot get better game, slaughter 
every insectivorous bird they come across. 
A few partridges and squirrels, are occasion- 
ally to be seen in the fall, these, with some 
wild pigeons, are the only _game to tempt 
the gunner to a " day's shooting in the coun- 
try." The valley and the mountains arc, 
hrj%vever, beautiful, and the lover of nature 
cannot but enjoy the many beautiful walks 
and drives in the vicinity of the town, and 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



PI 



will not soon lire of the many charming 
viev.-s that ojien around him in every direc- 
tion. 

The favorite ride for visitors to Bethlehem, 
is to " Batter^s Jiuck,'' tlie highest point on 
the mountain range to the south of the town, 
and about eight miles distant. It is about 
1060 feet above tide water, and from the two 
high rocks which crown the summit of the 
ridge, there is a beautiful view of Sauoon 
Valley to the south, and with a good glass, it 
is said, Chestnut Hill, near rhiladeli>hi;i, 
can be seen on a clear day; while to Iho 
north, are splendid views of the Blue-ridge, 
the Lehigh Water Gap, and the mountains 
beyond and around Mauch Chunli; the Little 
Gap, Allento\vn,and the Lehigh Kiver wind- 
ing in the distance like a silver ribbon. 

From here,aride to Allenlown.and a visit 
to the curious spring which furnishes the 
town with water, is the usual programme. 
At the spring the water rushes out of the 
side of a hill iu an immense volume, falling 
first into quite a small basin, clean, cool, 
sparkling and delicious, thence flowing into 
a small pond stocked with a large number of 
trout. From this pond the supply necessary 
for the town, which has a jjopulation of 17,- 
000 inhabitants, is drawn, and yet enough 
flows off from it to fill quite a large dam, 
which furnishes sufficient water power for 
the use of several large mills- In its way 
it is a greater curiosity than the spring at 
Bethlehem; a handsome hotel was erected 
in 1S68, near this spring, for summer board- 
ers. 

Then there is Die drive to Ilellertown, 
about four miles from Bethlehem, where 
there is a hotel, with an e.'ccellent cook ; par- 
ties go there to enjoy a trout supper, wailles 
and spring chicken. JVIake your first drive 
here, for trout are very scarce, and very ex- 
pensive. 

To the northeast of Bethlehem, and about 
ten miles distant, is the quiet Moravian vil 
lage of Nazareth. In this latter town is 
located the Pcdagoijium, or Boarding School 
for Boys, instituted by tlie Moravians in the 
year 1759. iu which, now, as in many other 



schools of a like character in the United 
States, military tactics are taught; and (he 
pupils are dressed iu a grey uuiform, some- 
what similar to those worn by the cadets in 
the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. 

There are some quaint old buildings in 
Nazareth, and a day or two can be profitably 
be passed there by the stranger in visiting 
the many places of interest in the town, and 
its vicinity. The drive to it from Bethlehem 
is through a very beautiful country, and fine 
views reward the beholder on all sides. The 
view of the surrounding country from the 
old Moravian grave yard, is especially wor- 
thy of note. 

The Pcdar/nghim, or Boarding School, bet- 
ter known as Nazareth Hall, stands on a 
commanding site in the western extremity 
of the village, its front having a southern ex- 
posure, with a fine large lawn in front, in- 
tersected with walks, embracing to the soutli 
a view of a landscape of exceeding beauty. 
In front of the Hall stands a handsome 
monument, erected iu 1868, to the memory 
of the graduates of the institution who laid 
down their lives in theservices of their coun- 
try during the late rebellion of 1861-65. A 
fine old piece of woods to the west of tlie 
Hall, partly on the rising hill, has been re- 
served as a play-ground for the boys, it is 
neatly laid out with wallis, having a spring 
and a small stream of water running througli 
it, with some small ponds of water, seats aud 
arbors abound under the old hickory, oak 
and chestnut trees which ornament the 
grounds ; the Moravians beautify and adorn 
some such spot as this in all their towns and 
villages, quiet, shady retreats, attractive 
alike to the young and the old. 

" Nazareth Hall," was erected as a Manor 
House for Count Zinzendorf, in hopes of his 
taking up liis permanent residence there. 
It was intended to accommodate tlie Count 
and his coadjutors, and was designated as the 
'■ Pilgrim house." The corner stone was 
laid on the ",rd of May, 1755, and the struc- 
ture completed in 1756. The Ilall is a mas- 
sive structure of blue limestone, now rough- 
cast with mortar and gravel, with anunsight- 



92 



HISTOKICAL SKETCH OF 



ly brick addition, lately added to its eastern 
wing, out of all architectural proportion and 
taste. The ancient portion, with its double 
pitched roof and two rows of dormer win- 
dows, with the balcony and belfry which 
surmount it, give it a venerable appearance 
well becoming its antiquity. On the east 
side of the open square in front of the Hall, 
stands the old " Sisters' House." 

On the 6th of June, 1759, Nazareth Hall 
was opened as a boarding school for the sons 
of the Moravian Brethren, with 92 scholars. 
In 1779 the school was closed, owing to the 
inability on the part of the Church to defray 
the expenseof educating, as they did, almost 
gratuitously, so many children. The Breth- 
ren, having about this time involved them- 
selves in so many expensive missionary en- 
terprises, this step was indispensably neces- 
sary. But on the 3rd of October, in the year 
1785, the institution was again opened as a 
boarding school for boys of all Protestant 
denominations, and has ever since enjoyed 
an increasing patronage, with successful re- 
sults. Boys are admitted to the school from 
nine to fifteen years of age. The necessary 
expense of the scholastic year is $280. This 
does not include music, drawing, painting 
or the foreign languages, for each of which 
a small extra charge is made of about $20 
]>er year. 

The situation of the town, and the liealthy 
air of the adjacent country, render Nazareth 
a very eligible location for a boarding school ; 
but a more quiet country town cannot well 
be imagined. " Sleepy Hollow," is a lively 
place in comparison; by staying there a few 
days one gets an idea of life in Bethlehem 
a hundred years ago. 

In the American Gazetteer, published in 
1797, there is a very interesting sketch of 
Nazareth, to which the reader is referred. 
And a full account of the Boarding School 
will be found in William C. Reichel's " His- 
torical Sketch of Nazareth Hall, from 1755 
to 1869," published in the latter year, by J. 
B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. 

Otn Nazareth is situated a short distance 
east of the present town of that name. It is 



still the property of the Society, but no long- 
er the seat of a Moravian Congregation. 

Christian Spriiifi, about two miles to the 
south-%vest of Nazareth, was formerly a small 
Moravian settlement, and was named in 
honor of Christian Eenatus Zinzendorf, a son 
of the Count. It was built in a quadrangu- 
lar form. On the north were the chapel and 
dwelling houses; on the east the different 
workshops, and a grist and saw mill, pro- 
pelled by the waters of the Manockasy. All 
the buildings enclosed are square and of 
considerable size. During the Indian wars 
of 1755-56 and 57, it was stockaded, and put 
into a condition of defence. The Govern- 
ment attached great importance t.o the place, 
it being one of the principal outposts of the 
white settlements. The buildings are all 
still standing, except the mills. It is no 
longer a Moravian settlement, although the 
property is still owned by the Society. 

GiNADENSTHAL, 1. e., " The VuUei/ vf Grace," 
is situated about half a mile to the north of 
Christian Spring. It was formerly a Moravi- 
an settlement, but is now the property of Nor- 
thampton County, and the County Poor 
House has been erected there. 

Fricdcnstlmi, or " Vallei/ </ Pence," was 
another of these little settlements, with 
small Moravian Congregations. It is about 
two miles east of Nazareth ; but the place is 
no longer o%vned by the Society. See Bond- 
thaler's Life of Heekwelder, jniblished in 
Philadelphia in 1847, in the notes to page S4. 

The drives to Freemansburg, Bath, Cata- 
sauqua, Easton, and Nazareth, are very 
beautiful; the lovely scenery will alone 
repay the visitor to either of these places, 
passing as the roads do, thr jugh the " Dry- 
lands," presenting varied views of river, 
mountains, valleys, and richly cultivated 
farm lands. 

On the south side of the Lehigh, near 
Bethlehem, situated on a plateau of the Le- 
high Hills, is the celebrated " Water Cure 
EriaUisliment," of Dr. Oppelt; during the 
Summer months the house is full of patients, 
and boarders from a distance. The situ.ition 
is very retired ; the grounds are beautiful, 



BETHLEHEM, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



93 



and the view of the surrounding country 
from the hills in the rear of the place, which 
are covered with fine forest trees, is exceed- 
ingly fine; near the Establishment is a 
never failing spring of water, gushing up 
out of a crevice in the rocks, around which 
are fixed seats; close hy are swings and a 
bowling alley, for the amusement of the 
boarders. This spot would be a splendid 
position for a hotel. Adjoining this Estab- 
lishment to the south, is the handsome resi- 
dence of the late Mr. Fiot, once a celebrated 
music publisher in Philadelphia, now de- 
ceased. The house has been enlarged, and 
is now occupied as a Boarding School for 
young ladies, under the auspices of the 
Episcopal Church, with Miss Edith Chase as 
Principal — and is called " Bishopthorpe 
.School." 

There are many objects of interest in 
Bethlehem worthy of a visit; and as in the 
days of old, the stranger was shown over the 
town and through the Brethren's buildings 
by " Fnther" Thomas ; so in these later days, 
a worthy gentleman has been found to sup- 
ply the place of that kind old patriarch, now 
departed. The writer, and so very many 
visitors to Bethlehem, have received so many 
marks of attention and kindness, from this 
fine old Moravian Brother, that these sketch- 
es would not be complete, without mention 
of his name iu connection with this ancient 
old Burg. Dr. Maurice C. Jones, is now the 
cicerone of the visitors to Bethlehem, a self- 
constituted Fremdeudiener. He is a retired 
physician, of ample means, a Welsh Mora- 
vian, who loves Bethlehem, his adopted 
country, and his ancient and honorable 
church, taking great interest in all the offi- 
ces of the Society ; and is an agreeable, esti- 
mable, and courteous gentleman, of fine 
conversational powers, justly proud of the 
venerable old town in which he lives, and 
its historical mementoes. The same aSec- 
tionate regard is shown to him, in our 
modern times, by all who know him, as was 
formerly shown to Mr. Thonias, in the days 
of his usefulness. 

From the early days of the settlement of 



Bethlehem, it has been customary for the 
church authorities to appoint some one to 
wait on all strangers visiting the town, who 
desire to see and inspect the schools, and the 
various buildings of the Society. John Et- 
wein, afterwards a celebrated Bishop of the 
Church, was the first " Fremdeudiener," or 
guide to the visitors, more properly perhaps 
translated as " The Strangers' Friend;" he 
served from 1776 to 1779, and was succeeded 
by Kicholaa Garrison ; how long the latter 
acted in this capacity I cannot say, but 
Chastellux mentions him in his work, which 
was printed in 17S2. After him, John Bonn 
was the guide till 1788. He was better 
known as *'' Pa^ypy Bonn," an alTectionate 
appellation bestowed upon him by the young 
girls at the Seminary. His successor was 
Francis, more familiarly called " Dnddy Tho- 
mna," at first by the girls, to whom he carried 
the letters from the post office, and afterwards 
by everyone. He was a very amiable and 
courteous old man, a great favorite with 
all who knew him, and full of old fashion- 
ed wit. He departed this life in 1822, being 
then in the ninetieth year of his age, and his 
remains repose in the old grave-yard on the 
Hill. He held his position as guide, and 
remained in the employ of the Seminary till 
his death ; since then no one has been named 
toperform such duties. But courteous gentle- 
men are always to be found in the congrega- 
tion to act as the " Strangers' friend." 

The Moravians were once a very plain, 
unassuming people, forbidding vain show 
in dress, and economical in all their habits ; 
their apparel was simple, clean and neat. 
The straight, unlappeUed, dark brown coat, 
the broad brimmed, low crowned hat, the 
knee-buckled small clothes, the broad round- 
toed shoe, were consistent characteristics of 
a Moravian Brother; whilst the plain ilrab 
or black silk bonnet, the three cornered 
white kerchief, the plain silk gown, the 
comfortable hood furnished cloak, the stulT 
shoe, for comfort and convenience, were the 
Sisters' attire; and their manners wero 
bland, courteous and winning. This costume 
was continued inviolate until about If".",; 



94 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



since then the Moravians have not bct-n dis- 
tinguishable by dress from any other denom- 
ination of Christian people. 

The air of Bethlehem seems not only to be 
very health-giving to invalids, but also con- 
ducive to longevity, of which there are many 
instances among the inhabitants. Eighty- 
four is not an unusual age for the people to 
attain, as may be seen from an inspection 
of the tomb-stones in the old grave-yard. 
And there are now many residents of the 
place whose ages exceed that number of 
years. 

For the first twenty years after the settle- 
ment of the town, all property was held in 
common by the " Economy." But in 1762, 
the Society began to dispose of ]>ortions of 
their real estate, to such of the Brethren as 
were desirous, and able, to purchase home- 
steads for their families. 

The number of people belonging to the 
Economy in 175fi, was 953. They did not all 
live in Bethlehem, but some in Sauco», some 
at Liaby, and some in the other Moravian 
towns in the vicinity. The Indian converts, 
numbering 82, are not included in the enu- 
meration, nor the young Indian women who 
lived with the Sisters. There was quite a 
falling off in the number of the inhabitants, 
after the abolition of the Communist system 
in 1702. In 1756 there were 219 "Single 
Brethren" living at Bethlehem, Christian 
Spring, Kazareth, Gnadensthal and Fried- 
cnsthal; but in the year 17S2, the number 
was reduced to 39. 

But one person of each trade or vocation 
was permitted to settle in any Moravian 
town in the United States ; this system was 
kept up till 1828, the object being to prevent 
rivalry in business. The secular affairs of 
tlie town were govemed by a Board called 
the " CoLLEGicv," who regulated all matters 
of trade ; and all members of the Society in- 
tending to commence any business, had first 
to get their permission to do so. The stores, 
taverns, and several other branches of trade, 
continued to be owned and carried on by the 
Society, until within about 25 years ago. 
Tu8 last business conducted bv the Brethren 



at Bethlehem, was the accommodation of 
travellers at the " Sun Hotel," which they 
sold in 1S4S, to Charles Augustus Lucken- 
back. 

" On the othef side of Jurdau," at the foot of 
South-Mountain, nine miles from Bethle- 
hem, and five miles south-west from Allen- 
town, is situated the Moravian settlement of 
EsiMAUs; it is built on a single street; the 
town contains one store, about thirty-five 
dwellings, and a Congregation House, which 
is united to a Chapel. There is also a tavern 
in the place. The land on which tlie village 
is erected, was bequeathed to the Society by 
two members of the church, for the support 
of a minister and a school. Ogden, in his 
old work, already referred to, at page 55, 
says : " In this place was one of those accom- 
modations for the lodging of a married cou- 
ple, which cause so much conversation. * * 
According to constant practice, single beds 
are used by unmarried persons, from their 
youth upwards. When a couple are united 
in holy wedlock, and become heads of a fam- 
ily, these two beds and their bedsteads, are 
placed so contiguous to each other, that they 
are covered with one general blanket or 
counterpane. This outward covering desig- 
nates the lodging of some married persons ; 
but this is not an universal custom, as many 
use the common large beds. It is conveni- 
ent, in case of sickness of either party, the 
nursing of children, and the poverty of 
young housekeepers, who n^ay not wish to 
be at the expense of exchanging or altering 
tlieir single beds, bedding or beadsteads. 
The bedstead is not different from that in 
common use, except that it has head, foot, 
and side boards." 

lam unable to perceive anything singular 
or curious in the above related custom, which 
it is said, excited a great deal of impertinent 
curiosity, and in consequence the usage was 
discontinued ; because I know married peo- 
ple who now sleep upon nimjle beds, arranged 
just as the old iloravians fixed theirs, and 
for some of the same reasons, although they 
are persons of wealth ,• besides this, it is well 
known, or ought to be, that in the better 



BETHLEHEM, P E N N S Y L V A \ I A. 



9, 



o 



circles of society iu England, and Continen- 
tal Europe, it is customary for man and wife, 
although living together amicably under 
the same roof, to occupy separate sleeping 
apartments. 

On the 28th of April, 1870, I received the 
following communication from my friend 
Bertine S. Encin, of Bethlehem, in reference 
to the "Old Pine Tree," mentioned in this 
chajjter, which had become so decayed in 
its upper branches, as to be unsafe; so the 
old land mark had to be destroyed : — 

" I have a sad communication to make, 
inasmuch as the old pine tree departed this 
life, this A. M. at 8. 05. The chief mourn- 
ers, the Blackbirds, are congregated in the 
grave-yard surrounding the garden. 

" The age of the tree is 70 years, or therea- 
bouts. It took four men 28 minutes to fell 
it. Knowing your interest in matters per- 
taining to Bethlehem antiquities, I thought 
it might interest you to hear of this sudden 
"pining" away. This old tree was only 80 
feet in height, although it looked much 
higher, it had, however, lost about 20 feet of 
its top in a storm some years ago. The low- 
est limb was 44 feet from the ground." 

In Chastellux's Travels in North America, 
vol. 11, page 311. The Translator in a note 
says : " It is remarked that on the lands 
within reach of Moravian settlements, the 
cultivation is superior, and every branch of 
husbandry is better carried on, first from the 
emulation excited by these industrious peo- 
ple, and secondly from the supply the coun- 
trymen procures from them of every neces- 
sary implement of husbandry, &c., fabricated 
iu these settlements." These remarks are 
as true to-day, 1870, as they were in 1780. 
" Besides those the Marquis speaks of, I visit- 
ed some others, not far from Bethlehem, at 
one of which called iVazarc^A, is a famous gun- 
smith, from whom my friend bought a pair 
of pistols, many of which I saw there of the 
most perfect workmanship. Nothing can be 
more enchanting than these establishments ; 
out of the sequestered wilderness they have 
formed well built towns, vast edifices all of 
stone, large orchards, beautiful and regular 



shaded walks in the European fashion, and 
seem to combine with the most complete sep- 
aration from the world, all the comforts, and 
even many of the luxuries of polished life. 
At one of these cleared out settlements in the 
midst of a forest, between Bethlehem and 
Nazareth, possessing all the advantages of 
mills and manufactures, I was astonished 
at the delicious sounds of an Italian concert ; 
but my surprise was still greater, on enter- 
ing a room, where the performers turned 
out to be common workmen of different 
trades, playing for their amusement. At 
each of these places, the brethren have a 
common room, where violins and other in- 
struments are suspended, and always at the 
service of such as choose to rela.x themselves, 
by playing singly, or taking a part in a con- 
cert." 

This old work brings us back by easy 
stages, from " Moravian Mill" to Bethlehem, 
from which we have wandered. The trans- 
lator, an Englishman, who announces that 
he resided iu America during the period of 
Chastellux's travels, says in a note to page 
321, vol. II :— " The first time I visited Beth- 
lehem, was from Philadelphia; and after 
travelling two days through a country alter- 
nately diversified with savage scenes and 
cultivated spots, on issuing out of the woods 
at the close of the evening, in the month of 
May, found myself on a beautiful extensive 
plain, with the vast eastern branch of the 
Delaware on the right, widely interspersed 
with wooded islands, and at the distance of 
a mile in front of the town of Bethlehem, 
rearing its large stone edifices out of a forest, 
situated on a majestic, but gradually risiug 
eminence; the background formed by the 
setting sun. So novel and unexpected a 
transition, filled the mind with a thousand 
singular and sublime ideas, and made an 
impression on me, ntver to be eftaced. The 
romantic and picturesque effect of this glo- 
rious display of natural beauties, gave way 
to the still more noble and interesting sen- 
sations, arising from the reflection in the 
progress of the arts and sciences, and the 
sublime anticipation of the "populous cities," 



9G 



HISTORICAL SKETCH F 



and " busy hum of man," which are one day 
to occupy, and civilize the vast wilderness 
of the new world." 

Speaking of the " Sun," Chastellux re- 
marks : " This tavern was built by the So- 
ciety of Moravian Brethren, to whom it 
served formerly as a magazine, and is very 
handsome and spacious ;" and in a note the 
translator adds : "This Inn, from its exter- 
nal appearance, and its interior accommoda- 
tions, is not inferior to the best of the large 
inns in England, which, indeed, it very 
much resembles in every respect. The first 
time I was in Bethlehem, we remained there 
two or three days : and were constautly 
supplied with venison, moor-garae, the most 
delicious red and yellow-bellied trout, the 
highest flavored wild strawberries, the most 
luxuriant asparagus, and the best vegetables, 



in short, I ever saw; and notwithstanding 
the difficulty of procuring good wine and 
spirits at that period, throughout the conti- 
nent, we were here regaled with wine and 
brandy of the best quality, and exquisite 
old Port and Madeira. It was at this house 
that the Marquis de la Fayette retired, to be 
cured of the first wound he received in fight- 
ing for America; an accident, which I am 
well assured, gave this young nobleman 
more jjleasure than most of our European 
petite maitrea would receive from the most 
flattering proofs of the favor of a mistress." 
The whole account of Bethlehem in the 
body of the work, and in the notes, is very 
interesting ; but both the writer, and trans- 
lator, show a lamentable ignorance of the 
life, manners, customs, and religious belie 
of the Moravian Brethren. 




" <;*. 



E E T II L E 11 E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



07 




TOE MORAVIAN COLLEGE, 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER XI. 

TuE McRATiAS Parochial School. — The 
MoRATiAN College, founded, a. d., 1807 

CHARTERED APRIL 3, 1863. ThE BeTHLE- 

HEM Male Boardixg School. — Nisky Hill 
Male Semi.vary. — The Old Bars of the 

CoSGREGATIOtI FaRM. — SkETCHOFTHE BeTH- 
LEHEM SeMISAHY FOR YoU.N'Q LadIES. — ThE 

Military Record of Bethlf.hem during 
THE Rebellion. 



_^ssuiNGfrom the Old Moravian Graveyard 
«fe by the eouthwestern gate, the stranger 
stands in the rear of the Moravian Parochial 

School Ilonse, a very large, handsome brick 
building, four stories in height, erected in 
1857, and capable of holding in its recitation 
rooms over 300 scholars. The upper story 
is used for concerts, lectures, &c. In it all 
the children of the members of the Bethle- 
hem congregation of the United Brethren, 
under 14 years of age are educated, all until 
they reach that age, receive the same ad- 
vantages, and at a very trifling cost. The 
Moravians take an especial pride in this In- 
stitution, and very justly so, for the educa- 



tion imparted in this school is of a very su- 
perior character, and well qualified to fit its 
pupils for the active duties of American life ; 
not professional. In proof of the above 
statement the following short paragraph is 
inserted from the Moravian of November i, 
1S69. "On Saturday evening next the pupils 
of the Moravian Parochial School, assisted 
by the church choir, will give an entertain- 
ment in the hall of the school building. The 
programme consists of recitations in concert 
by the different classes of the children, in 
English, French, German and Latin, and the 
singing of hymns. Among the contributions 
of the choir, (which need no praise from us,) 
to the entertainment, is the magnificent 
solo, 'I know that my Redeemer Livei;h,' 
from Handel's Messiah. The entertainment 
commences at seven o'clock." 

The Moravian College in Bethlehem, a view 
of which is given at the commencement nf 
this chapter, copied from an old circular of 
Mr. Vankirk's, is situated on Church Street, 
near Nisky Hill Cemetery, it is a fine large 
commodious brick building, painted load 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



coior, commanding one of the handsomest 
E;tes in the town, overlooking the Lehigh 
i;:vc-r and Mountain, and the rapidly in- 
creasing town of South Bethlehem. It is 
Furrounded by a well laid out garden, and a 
fine large pleasure ground for the recreation 
of the students. This institution, in the form 
of a Theological Seminary, was founded in 
tlie year 1807, and located at Nazareth, Pa., 
and was designed not only to give the young 
men of tlie Moravian Church, desiring to en- 
ter the ministry, a complete course of Theo- 
logical studies, but also to prepare them to 
enter upon it by a thorough classical educa- 
tion ; hence the institution embraces two de- 
partments, a, Preparatory School, and a Theo- 
lorjical Seminary, In 1850, the Seminary was 
jnoved to Bethlehem, and the house now oc- 
cupied by Adoljih Conradi, in Broad Street 
near New Street, taken for the use of the 
Institution. In 1855, the school was taken 
back to Nazareth. And in 1858, the " Mo- 
ravian Sustcntation Diacony," i. e., the Ex- 
ecutive Board of the Moravian Churcli, pur- 
chased of Mr. Benjamin Vankirk, the pre- 
sent building and surrounding grounds, 
and the Theological Seminary was again re- 
moved to Bethlehem; its present location. 

In 1S51, Mr. Yankirk purchased the build- 
ing in Llain Street, now occupied by Charles 
W. Eauch, of Ernst F. Bleck, and continued 
there tlie "Bethlehem Male Boarding School," 
the project proving a successful one ; in 1S55, 
he purcliased the grounds at Nisky Hill, and 
erected there tlie same year tlie present 
building, now known as the '• Moravian Col- 
lege," moved his school thither, and changed 
its name to that of the "Nisky Hill Male 
Seminary;" not long after this, Mr. Yankirk 
was seized with a severe and long continued 
illness, (from which he is now happily re- 
covered, and occupies an important position 
asassistantiu the Seminary for Young Ladies 
at Bethlehem,) which comjjelled him to dis- 
posa of his building, as before stated, and 
break up his school. 

In the year 1863, the Theological Seminary 
and its Preparatory Department, after un- 
dergoing thesd various changes, were re 



organized as a college, and incorporated as 
such, by an Act cf Assembly of tha Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, of the 3rd of April, 
1863. See Pamphlet La^s of 1SC3, p. 277 ; 
and also Beitel's Index of Corporations; witli 
the power of conferring the usual and scho- 
lastic degrees, and in 1864, thrown open to 
students of all other Protestant denomina- 
tions. The act referred to is in these words. 
An Act to Incorporate the Morcvian College ami 
Theological Seminarif, at Bethlehem, Pa. 



AV. 



UEREAS. The Church of the riiitt-.l Diethrcn, 
(formerly called Moravi;ins.) had, for a lung time, a 
Collegiate aud Theological institute coimectcd with the 
bearding school at Nazareth, but in the jear 1858, rt- 
moved the same to the Borough of Bethlehem, acJ 
established in said borough a college fur the education 
of male persons in the various branches of science, 
literature, and the ancient and modern languages, as 
likewise a department of the game for training and 
preparing of young men for the gospel ministry. And 
whereas, It is deemed by the authorities of the Baid 
church, to be desirable and necessary for the conve- 
nient management of the concerns of said college, to 
have said college incorporated; therefore, 

Sec. I. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Representatives of the Commonwealth ofPennsylvauia, 
in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by 
authority of the same. That the Riglit KeverendJoha 
Christian Jacobson, Bishop, and the Reverend FranciJ 
Florentine Uagen, and the Reverend Sylvester "Wollc, 
all of the Borough of Bethlehem, duly elected by Iho 
Synod of the Northrrn District of tlie American ?ro- 
\iuce of the United Brethren, a Board of Direction ( f 
the Ecclesiastical affairs of said Church, insaid District, 
and likewise constituted by the virtue of their office, 
the Board of Trnsteeo of said College, and such otlur 
persons as may be hereafter appointed their associates 
or successors, according to the rules and regulations (<f 
the Baid branch of the Church of the United Brethren, 
be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and 
corporate, in fact and in law, by the name and stylo of 
the '• Moravian College and Theological Seminary," and 
by that name phall be capable of perpetual succession, 
may sue and be sued, may have and ii?e a common 
seal, and alter and change the same at pleasure, and 
ehall also be capable to accept, and lake, by devise, 
grant, bargain, sale or otherwise, any estate, or pro- 
perty, real or personal, and the same to hold iind enjoy, 
or to sell and convey, lease, or mortgage, as fully and 
absolutely, in all respects, as any natural person might 
do. Provided^ however, That the clear annual income 
of the estates and properties of said Corporation, exclu- 
sive of any lands and tenements that may be occupied 



B L T II L E II E J:, pen N S Y L V A N I A. 



09 



hy s:\:d College for its accommcdntions, or that of its 
offiiers or professors, and exclusive of income from 
Etudents, sliiiU not exceed the sum of Ten Vioitsand 
dollars. 

Sec. II. — Thit the Trusters already apjiointed, or 
who shall hereafter be appointed in accordance with 
the fundamental statutes which govern the Church of 
the United Brethren in the said Northern Province of 
the United States of Amer'.ca, shall hiive the care and 
mauagement of said CoUeg", and of its estates and 
properties, and shall have power to make all needful 
laws and regulations for the appointment of competent 
professors and teachers, for the fixing and payment of 
all salaries, for the fixing of tiie prices of bo.ird and 
tuition of students, for studies and exercises of the stu- 
dent,^, and for the general well being of s.iid College. 
Proviuedy That the said statutes, by-laws and regula- 
tions, shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution 
ftDd laws of this Commonwealth, or of the United 
States, or the enactments of the Synod of said Churcli 
of the United Brethren. 

Sec. III. — That no uusnomer, or luisdinction of the 
8.aid Corporation, in any will, deed, grant, or other in- 
strument of writing, shall vitiate or defeat the same, 
but that the same shall take effi-et in the same manner 
ai if said Corporation were rightly named therein. 
Pravidedf That it is sufficiently described to ascertain 
the intention of the parties. 

Ssc. IV. — That the Trustees, in conuection with the 
f iculty of the College, shall have power to grant and 
coufe: such degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, or 
such branches thereof, to such students of the College, 
or others, as from their proficiency in learning, they 
may seem justly entitled to such honors, and such as 
are usually granted by institutions of a similar kind, 
and to grant diplomas and certificates under their com- 
mon seal, as may authenticate and perpetuate the 
memory of such graduation. 

Approved April 3, A. D.. 1S63. 

From the catalogue of the College, issued 
in 1848, the following additional facts are 
derived. "To the two already existing de- 
partments was added a third — the grammar 
school. The design of this branch is to pre- 
pare students to enter upon the course of 
study pursued in the College. In it particu- 
lar attention is paid to Latin, Greek and 
Mathematics. The grammar school and 
College are in the same building, and under 
the same faculty, thus enabling a student to 
pass through the entire course with the same 
instructors, and rendering attention to the 
known wants of the individual possible to 



the professors. Ko student is admitted into 
the Institution under 13 years of age." 

Besides the usual course of studies in simi- 
lar colleges of like character; any student 
can, without extra charge, take lessons in 
Drawing, German, French, Natural Philoso- 
phy and Chemistry; these are, however, 
elective studies. For instruction in vocal or 
instrumental music, an extracharge is made, 
for the number of lessons taken. The scho- 
lastic year is divided into three terms, of 
from twelve to fourteen weeks each. There 
is a short vacation at Christmas, and at Eas- 
ter, and one of seven weeks in July and 
August. A limited number of students can 
reside in the College. No student is per- 
mitted to board at a hotel, and in all cases 
the boarding places are subject to the ap- 
proval of the faculty. The expenses of a 
student residing in the College, including 
tuition, room, boarding and washing, is about 
$100 per term. Those boarding outside, pay 
only $25 per term to the College for tuition, 
use of room, light and fuel. Payment of the 
regular expenses are required in advance. 
The Board of Trustees is the Provincial 
Elders' Conference, and the members of the 
Faculty are the Rev. Edwin de Schweinitz, 
Pastor of the Moravian Churches at Bethle- 
hem, President; Professors, the Rev. William 
II. Bigler, Rev. Charles B. Schultz and Rev. 
Edwin G. Klose. 

The old stone building on Main Street, 
mentioned as having been first used by Mr. 
Ernst F. Bleek, for his "Bethlehem Male 
Boarding School," was originally the barn 
of the Society's farm. It was struck by 
lightning during a thunder storm in the 
summer of 17G2, and set on fire, but it was 
extinguished without materially injuring 
the building; which was afterwards altered 
into dwelling houses, and occupied by three 
families. In tearing down the northern part 
of this old structure, in 1869, lately occupied 
by Michael Stuber, the manufacturer of 
tlie old fashioned Bethlehem chairs, now so 
much in vogue; the rafters of the old barn 
were found to be blackened and charred, and 
the evidences of the fire as fresh as on the 



100 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



clay of the occurrence, one hundred and 
ceven years before. Mr. Bleck founded the 
Eethlehem Male Boarding School in 1S39, 
and carried it on with great success until 
1851, when he sold out to Mr. A''ankirk. 

The old farm house was originally attach- 
ed to the barn to the north, and it still stands 
iu excellent order, quite as good as when it 
was first erected. It is now used by Am- 
brose Ranch, as a confectionery store. And 
but few of the gay and happy throngs of 
beautiful women and gallant men, wlio re- 
sort thither to flirt over ice-cream and cakes, 
know what sacred memories are connected 
with the old building, wherein once lay 
wounded the gay, noble and chivalrie La- 
ftii/ette. 

On the south side of Church Street, facing 
Main Street, and opposite the large Moravian 
Church, stands the celebrated " Bethlehem 
Seminary for Youug Ladies," where, not 
only the daughters of the members of the 
Moravian Church, residing in the town, re- 
ooive theireducation j but hundreds of others 
from all parts of the United States, the West 
Indies and the Sandwich Islands. During 
the session of 1863, and 1864, this school had 
2G3 pupils, and the total number that year 
attending the schools in Bethlehem, includ- 
ing thejjublic school, was 985. 

The Moravians make the education of the 
young, one of their specialties, and there are 
Gchocls for young ladies in each of their 
principal settlements in America, namely, 
at Litiz, Pa. ; Salem, North Carolina, and at 
Hope, Indiana; and at Chaska, Minnesota, 
for boys and girls; and one at Nazareth, Pa., 
for bo3's. 

The children of the Moravians are so edu- 
cated, that they are not only kind and cour- 
teous to the stranger, but they are loving, 
obedient children. This is not only evinced 
by their amiability at home, but by their 
correct, deportment abroad. Grape vines, 
loaded v/ith theii* treasures, (the favorite 
place for them seems to be over the doorways 
of the dwellings,) and trees whose limbs are 
Jaden with ripe fruits, stand temptingly in 
the streets, yet the children and poo]ile of 



the town never touch them, without the 
permission of the owners. 

This is another beautiful illustration of the 
character of thcfc people, once so little un- 
derstood, but now, each day becoming to be 
more fully appreciated by tiie good and think- 
ing in all classes of society. Bethlehem has 
ceased to be a Moravian settlement, but it is 
to be hoped that their influence may long be 
felt among the jieople of this pleasant town. 

The boarding school for girls consists of 
three large adjoining buildings on Church 
Street, with a handsome chapel in the rear. 
The centre building in front, three stories in 
height, with its steep roof, and two rows of 
attic windows, is a well preserved relic of 
the old style of Moravian buildings. It was 
originally " The Single Brethren's House," 
and reminds one of a first class '"'Man of 
"War,", (before steam came into vogue,) on 
the stocks, the windows resembling her open 
ports; it was erected before the Revolution- 
ary War, of 1770, and was used during that 
period as the general hospital by the Ameri- 
can forces. Many distinguished American 
oflncers were inmates there at different 
times, either as patients or visitors; among 
them, General Lafayette, suffering from the 
wounds he had received at the battle of 
Brandywine. 

On the brow of the hill, to the right hand 
of the public road, leading to AUentown, 
and west of the Manockasy, lie the remains 
of about one thousand American soldiers, who 
died in this hospital during the war; no 
monument has been erected to their memory, 
and no stone marks the place of their repose. 

From the annual catalogue issued by the 
"Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies," 
the following facts that cannot be refuted, 
are gathered. It is an establishment under 
the direction of the Moravian Church, and 
has been in successful operation as a board- 
ing school since the year 1','85. and is believed 
to be the oldest institution of the kind in the 
United States. Located in a healthful section 
of the State, in the midst cf the charming 
scenery of the Lehigh Valley, among a peo- 
]'Ie distinguished for a high moral tone of 













isJl 



■as 

1^ 






^^i.-j,<y. 



BETHLEHEM, P E N j; S Y L V A N I A. 



101 



c'laraetcr, and of a superior education, this 
school possesses external advantages that 
cannot be surpassed. The Seminary play 
grounds are large, and laid out with taste. 
The many lovely places of resort in the Ti- 
cinity are frequently visited by the scholars 
under the care of their teachers. 

Since the foundation of the Academy, more 
thanynx- thousntul of its Alnmn(K have spread ' 
its reputation over all parts of the Union. 
Jlore scholars are offered nearly every year 
than can be accommodated. The course of 
instruction, while it keeps pace with the 
progress of society, and the advancement of 
science, has in its leading principles and 
mode of government, been in no wise changed 
since its establishment, and anything that 
■would give it the reputation and character 
of a fasJiionahte hoarding school, has been 
carefully avoided. Everything is done to 
discipline and develop the mind, to instil 
moral and religious principles, give a heal- 
thy physical development to the body, and 
fit the pupils for a useful life. The school is 
conducted on religious, but not sectarian 
principles. The scholars attend service only 
in their own chapel, and in the Moravian 
Church. The scholastic year begins in Sep- 
tember and ends in July. The total charge 
for the year is about $275. The educational 
books are an extra charge. The foreign lan- 
guages, music, drawing and ornamental 
needle work, are considered elective studies, 
for which an extra compensation is required. 

One of the most interesting occasions at 
the Seminary, is the annual "entertain- 
ment," generally held about the 1st of July 
of each year, when the town and hotels are 
crowded with anxious mothers and fathers, 
and other relatives of the young ladies. The 
exercises were formerly held in the large 
Moravian Church, but are now given in the 
" Xew Chapel" attached to the school, which 
was built during the summer of 1S6S. As a 
matter of course, a programme of one of these 
great occasions is given. Bethlehemites 
are great on programmes, every thing is 
done decently, and in order, in this good old 
Moravian town. 



ORDER OF EXERCISES AT THS 

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT 

Given by the Voting Ladies of the 3'oravain Seminar}/ 
at Bethlehem, Wednesdai/ Evening, Jult/ 12, lS6a, 



Chorus — 95th Psahu. Mendelssohn. 
" 0, come let ua worship and kneel before the Lord.'' 
Recitation — Far away. " The land that is 
very far off." Is. 33. 17. 
Mary McOrn, New York. 
Song — " Rose, how enchanting art thou." 
Spohr. 
Mary Ecky, rhiladelphia. 
Piano Forte— Reigen der Sylphen. 
Mary Geissenbainer, Bethlehem. 
Song — Das bettelnde Kind. Gumbert. 

Kate Selfriilge, Bethlehem. 

German Recitation — Dergerettete Juengling. 

Herder. 

Sallie Baker,Quincy, 111. 

Piano Forte — Unefleuranimee. Carl Mayor. 

Jennie Sensemau, Nazareth, Pa. 
Trio—" Hearts feel that love Thee." Men- 
delssohn. 
1st Soprano — Sarah Henry, N. Y. 

Ernestine Schmid, N. Y. 
May Sanl, N. Y. 
Mary Chew, Millville, N. .T. 
*2d Soprano — Marie Belloni, Il.arlem, N. Y. 

Jennie Seuseman, Nazareth, Pa. 
5Iary Holland, Belhlehem. 
Lizzie Adams, Newark, N. J. 
Alto— Julia Baker, Quincy, 111. 

Larry Belloni, Uarlem, N. Y. 
Kate Glover, Ilarrisburg, Pa. 
Recitation — The Evening Walk. 

Lizzie Mitchell, N. Y. 
Quartett — Piano Forte a 4 ms.. Violin. Vio- 
loncello. 
Annie .Stein, Bethlelicm. 
Kate Selfridge, Bethlehem. 
Piano Forte — Chant du Bivouac. Ketterer. 

Mary Holland. Bethlehem. 
French Recitation— Noces et Festius. 
Georgie Davy, Newark, N. J. 
Agatha Seburz, Bethbhem. 
AliceE. Pine, N. Y. 
Quartett — " As pants the hart." Thomas. 
Amelia Furman, South Amboy, N. J. 
Maria Wnndorling, Nazareth, Pa. 
Messrs. Rait and Goth, Bethlehem. 
Piano Forte— Etude. Carl Mayer. 
Facnie Jenks, Brookville, Pa. 



102 



H I S T n I C A L SKETCH OF 



Song — The Wanderer. Schubert. 

Julia Bilker, Quincy, III. 

riano Forte Duett— La Balladine. Lj'sberg. 

Lizzie Adams, Newark, N. J. 

Lizzift Kenton, NeWitrk, N. J. 

Chorus— From " Paradise and the Peri." 

Schuman. 
llecitation — Story of Blue Beard. 

Pauline Demonet, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
CHllie Spivey, Savannah, Ga. 
Ernestine SchniiJ, N. Y. 
Althea Scbmid, N. Y, 
BtTtba Balnier, St. Louis, Mu. 
Clara Downing, Downiugton, Pa. 
Ada Spivey, Savannah, Ga. 
l!):ibel Roberts, Philadelpbia. 
Larghetto — From 2dSym2^honie. Duett with 
Melodeon accompaniment. Bethoveu. 
Carrie Cessna, Bedford, Pa. 
Addie Mercur, Towanda, Pa. 
Duett — " Speed my bark." Neukomm. 
Mary Ecky, Philadelphia. 
Maria T^'uLderling, Nazaretb, Pa. 
Piano Forte — Eruanh Prudent. 
Nettie Corey, Nt-wjirk, N. J. 
Trio — " Lift thine eyes." Mendelssohn. 
1st Soprano^Mary Jenks, Brookville, Pa. 
Fannie Jenks, Brookville, Pa. 
Jessie Davidson, Yonkers, X. Y. 
Sarah Henry, N. Y. 
Kate Selfridge, Bftblt-bcni. 
2(1 Soprano — Mary Belloni, IIarlcm,N. Y. 
Laura ^YoUc, Bethlehem. 
Mary Ilolland, Bethlehem. 
Jennie Sensemeu, Nazareth, Pa. 
Ellen Laubach, Danville, Pa. 
Alto — Kate Glover, Hiirrisburg. 
Juli.x Eaker, Quincy, lU. 
Georgie Benueson, Quincy. III. 
Larry Belloni, Harlem, N. Y- 
Pecitation — " The Little Ileartease." 

Agatha Schuiz, Bethlehem. 
Arie — From Freischutz. "Weber. 
Mary Jenks, Brookville, Pa. 
Piano Forte Duett— The Huguenots. E. WollT. 
Sallie Baker. Quimy, III. 
Prof. Agtbe. 
Song — The Erl King. Shubert. 

Jessie Davidson, Yonkers, N. Y. 
Pvecitation— " Along the Path of Life.'* 

Nettie Corey, Newark, N.J. 

Chorus— ''Come, enjoy this day of pleasure." 

Concoue. 

Madam DiessUr's Pupils, 



Pecitation — Midsummer's Eve. 

Lizzie Arms, Philadelphia. 
Piano Forte — La Juive. Prudent. 
Mary Jenks, Brookville, Pa. 
Recitation— The Owl. 

Isabel Lange, EetUlehem. 

Chorus — '* 0, hail us ye free 1" from Ernani. 
Verdi. 

^Ilymn — 

Lord, dismiss ua with thy blessing. 

Fill ourliearts with joy and peace; 
Let ua each, tby love possessing. 

Triumph in redeeming grace ; 
refresh ua, :||: 
Trav'ling through this wilderness. 

One of the young gentlemen who was at 
this entertainment, after his return home 
from the visit, thus described it in the Eue- 
ton AryuH, a few days later, heading his ef- 
effusion: 

" * Brother Charlie's' account of his visit to 
the Bethlehem Seminary entertainment. 
•■ * The man that hath not music in himself, 

Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, 
Is fit for treason, stratagem and spoils,' 

" Shakspeare's ojiinion is ours also. Music 
always has charms for us, and beauty in- 
invariably attracts us; therefore, "we deter- 
mined to attend the entertainment last week. 

" About half-past six, we arrived at the 
church, and found italready crowded. What 
a galaxy of beauty, was there assembled! 

*' The stage was very tastefully decorated 
with greens. At the rear sat a number of 
gentlemen assistants, while on either side, 
were the young ladies, looking very happy, 
and very, very beautiful. 

*' The exercises opened with ashortaddress 
bj' the Principal, the Pev. Francis 'Wolle, 
in which he gave a summary of the last 
year's work, and stated the prospects of the 
Seminary for the ensuing year. 

" Then followed both vocal and instrumen- 
tal music, interspersed with recitations. 

" The pieces were all so well executed, that 
to make particular mention of one, were to 
do injustice to the others. 

" Upon that rostrum, all the divisions of 
our glorious Union were represented. Penn- 
sylvania and her neighbors may well bo 



B E T 11 L E II i: M, P E N N S Y L V A N r A. 



103 



Iiroud at being able to say, that such an in- 
stitution is within their borders, and that so 
much beauty and talent can be displayed by 
their daughters : while our elegant and ac- 
complished "Western sisters can never be 
surpassed. The Southern States may be 
glad that they have yet some to show to the 
world, what they were, and might yet have 
been ; while, with our Eastern friends, it were 
impossible to find fault. 

'■At the conclusion <if the entertainment, 
we adjourned to the Eagle, where soon we 
were gaily tripping through the mazes of 
the giddy dance. Here, many of us, had the 
jileasure of meeting near and dear relatives, 
while the rest consoled themselves with the 
agreeable task of promenading, dancing, or 
chatting merrily with friends." 

The Moravians were much annoyed dur- 
ing the Revolutionary "War of 1770, on ac- 
count of their refusing to bear arms, from 
which they were exempted by an act of Par- 
liament of Great Britain, and because, like 
the Quakers, it was a part of their religious 
discipline at that time to do so; they con- 
sidered it wrong in principle to engage in 
offensive warfare, they suffered in conse- 
quence on all sides, but remained firm in 
their determination. TJiis article of their 
faith seems now to be abandoned, for a more 
patriotic people do not at this time exist in 
the United States. They proved this in the 
groat rebellion that has been lately suppress- 
ed ; when the town was almost drained of its 
young men, most of whom were Moravians. 
The 46th regiment of Pennsylvania volun- 
teers, consisted almost altogether of men 
from Northampton County ; one company, C, 
being from Bethlehem and its immediate 
vicinity. General Knipe was the original 
colonel, but being promoted for bravery. 
Brevet Brigadier-General, James L.Selfridge, 
the first captain of the Bethlehem Company, 
became its commander, and led it through 
the entire war j ending its glorious career by 
accompanying General Sherman on his 
*^ grand march to the sea." 

There was also a part of a company from 
tlie town, iu the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy 



Artillery, which was commanded by my old 
friend and comrade, Colonel Augustus A. 
Gibson, of the regular army. 

Bethlehem also claims amongst her heroes, 
Generals Schurz, Sigel, Schimmelfenning 
and Doster, whose families lived iu the town 
during the rebellion. The latter is a Mora- 
vian, and now a distinguished member of the 
Easton bar. 

Several other military organizations, be- 
sides those mentioned, had Bethlehemites 
amcng their membersj and during each rebel 
raid on Pennsylvania, the borough furnished 
a full company of men on 24 hours notice, 
fully armed and equipped for the defence of 
the State. 

"We insert here a portion of the memorial 
of the Bethlehem Company in the 46th regi- 
ment, and a complete list of all the com- 
missioned officers serving in all arms of the 
service, during the late civil war, a record 
of the bravery of her sons, of which the old 
town has a just right to be very proud of. 

THE SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL. 

Company C, 46th Regiment Pennsylvania 

Veteran Volunteers. 

Company Officers. 

AVilliatu H. Stolzenbach, CaptJiin. 

"Wounded July 20, 1864. 
Jumes McQuillan, First Lit-nt., 

"VVoundcd May 24, 1SG2. 
Owen IJ. Sigley. Second Lieut., 
"Wounded June 16, 18C4. 

SERQEANTIj. 

Isaac Davis. 
James A. Peifcr. 
John J. David, 

Wounded and taken prisoner August 9, 1S62. 
AVilliam H. Eichelberger, 

Taken prisoner May 24, 1SG2. 
Daniel Davis, 

"Wounded September IT, 1862. 

CORPORALS. 

Levi Benner. 
Hugh Lyon's, 

"Woundea August 9, 18(J2. 
John C. Abbott, 

Taken prisoner Auj^ust 9, 1862. 
Wm. n. McMuiifi._'lp, 

Wounded June 'Jtli, ISlU. 
John Moore, 

Wounded July 20, IStU. 
Julius A. Dealer, 

Taken prisoner M^iy 2, ISG2. 



104 



11 I S T 11 I C A L S K i; T C U OF 



John Pntridi, 

T;ikun iiiisum-r May 2, liC2. 

Ttaniel Bi'.liai(). 

Eli ward TrcxvU — iiiusiciau. 

Piivid Kiicliniaii — wagoner. 

Trans/erri^d. 
Josep'i Macliett, First Lieut., to Capt.lia of Co. I. 
IMniund Craniaie, Sergt., to Secoud Lioiit. of Co. U, 

PromoU'd. 
IIoraCL- r. Jones, to Second Lieut. Co. 0. 
Tliomas C. Gonn.in, to Sergt. Major. 
Levi Tice, to lleg't Quarter Master. 
Cliarles B. J.'cCarly, to Serg't Mnjor. 
James T. Adair, to Ass't Surgeon 77Hi P. V. 
Franlilin M'eaver, Corji'I, to Veteran Ilescrve Corps. 

liUcharQcd. 
Owen A. Lnclieubacli, Captain, October 2,J, 1862,. fjr 

wounds. 
William B. Tliomas. First Lieut., March 4. ISC:;. 
John C. Fetter, Second Lieut. 
Hubert B. Deutr.v, Serg't, December 15, 1862. 
Uenry B, Levers, Serg't, November 22, 1SC2. 
Benj. II. ■Weaver, First Serg't, Oct. 21, 1S62, wouni'.s. 
r.ob't E. Williams, Corp'l, Nov. 10, 1S62, wounds. 
George A, Yohe, Corp'l, December 12, 18G1. 

Our space will not permit the insertion of 
the lionnrable record of the private soldiers. 
On the Memorial it is staled : 

" The regiment arrived at Camp Kalorama, 
Washington, D. C, September 18, l.Sfil, and 
were soon after assigned to General 'Wil- 
liam's Brigade, Bank's Division, on the Up- 
jier rotomac. The regiment took part in all 
the campaigns of General Banks ; and was in 
(he Division when it was assigned to t!ie 
army of Virginia, under General Pope, suf- 
fering severely at the battle of Cedar Moun- 
tain, losing fully two-thirds of its number. 
Took part in the Rappahannock campaign; 
also, the Maryland campaign, ending with 
Antietam. The old division of General 
Banks having been transferred to the 12th 
corps, under General ' Slocum ; took part in 
all the varied campaigns of the Army of the 
Potomac, until the fall of 1S63, when the 
11th and 12th corps were transferred to the 
Army of the Cumberland, 

The regiment re-enlisted in January, 1S64, 
and returned to Pennsylvania on a 30 days' 
furlough. In the Spring of 1SC4, the 11th 
and 12th corps were consolidated, and form- 
ed the 20th corps, under General Hooker, 



and partlcij)ated in ail the subsequent cam- 
paigns of General Sherman through Georgia 
and the Carolinas, ending with the surrender 
of Johnstone's Rebel Army, and the march 
from thence to Washington, where it par- 
ticipated in the Grand Jicviciv, May 24, 18G5. 
Mustered into the United States' service 
September 4, 18C1, at Ilarrisburg. Re-m^is- 
tered as veterans, January 13th, 1SG4, at 
Dcchcrt, Tennessee. 

Engagements. 
^\"inchester, Va., March 23, 1861. 
Middlotown, Ta , May 25, 1861. 
Winchester, Va., May 26, 1861. 
Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1802. 
Sulphur Springs, Va., August 27, 1862. 
South Mountain, JId., S-'pt. 4, 1862. 
Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 18C2. 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 1,2, 3, 1803. 
Gettysburg. Pa., July 1, 2, 0, 18C3. 
nesaoa, Ga , May 15, 1864. 
CassviUe, Oa., May 10, 1864. 
Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1S64. 
Tine Knob, Oa., June 9, 1864. 
Culps Farm, Ga., June 2'2, 1864. 
Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864, 
Atlanta, Oa., Sept. S, 1SC4. 
Cypress Swamp, Oa., Dec. 8, 1804. 
Savannah, Oa., Dec. 21, 1804. 
Chesterfield C . n., S. C, March 2, 1S65. 
Averysl'Oro, N. C, March 14, 1805. 
Dentonsvillc, N. C, March 19, 18C5. 
Coon Eun, N. C, April 10, 1865. 

The Soldiers' Memorial is printed on a 
handsomely illustrated sheet, surrounded by 
warlike implements and scenes, including, a 
spirited sketch of an engagement in the field. 

J.4S, L. Selfridge. — Captain of Co. A, 1st Pa. Vols. — 
three months service — April 20, 1801, 

Be-entered as Lieut. Col. of tho 4Cth regiment Pa. 
V.ds. August 8, 1861 ; i.romote.I to Col. May 10. ISC", ; 
served in the Army of the Potomac until the fall of tho 
year 1863, ^^heu his reginr utj.ined the Army of tho 
Cumberland under G neral Sherman, and formed a 
1 art of the forces who made the grand march to tho 
sea. IIo was promoted to Brig. Gen. by Brevet, M.arch 
16,1865; mustered out of service July 16, 1865. lie 
was afterwards Collector of Internal Revenue for tha 
11th District of Pa., and is now Clerk of Ihj House 
of Representatives of Peuusylvauia. 

IlEV. "W. IlENRy IlICE, — Chaplain of the 129th regi- 
ment Pa. Vols., entered tho nine months' service Aug- 
ust 16, 1802, ith army cor]is of the Army of the Po- 
tomac; mustered out May IN, liXO. 



r. i; T n L E ii r. m, r i: n n s y l v a n i a. 



1C5 



The Rev. Mr. Price was the only Moravian niiaister 
who acted as an army chaphiin during the war. 

Capt. R. MoULTon Godndie. — In the three months' 
service, Second Lieut, of Co. A., 1st regiment I*enna. 
Vols., mustered April 20, ISCl. Re-enlisted in three 
years* service as First Lieut, of Co. G, 2nd Pa. lleavy 
Artillery, promoted to Captain, and mustered out with 
regiment. Now civil engineer, Bethlehem, Pa. 

Doctor Frickhardt hud two sons in the 2nd Pa. Ar- 
tillery, Augustus and Frederick, who died in the ser- 
vice, aged respectively, eighteen and twenty years ; 
they were privates, unused to the hardships of a sol- 
dier's life, and diedin c mp before seeing active service. 

William IL Stolzenbacii. — Entered the service April 
17, 1S61 a private of Co. A, 1st regiment Pa, Vols., 
three months' service. Entered the three years' service 
as First S:-rg't Co. C, 4Gth regiment Pa. Vols., Septem- 
ber 4, ISCl; promoted to Second Lieut. September 5, 
1S61; First Lieut. March 4, 18G2; Captain, November 
1. 1£62. Served xinder General Banks, Hooker and 
Pope, of the Army of the Potomac; and re-enlisted un- 
der Sherman with his regiment, as veteran volunteers, 
and was painfully wounded at the battle of Peach Tree 
Creek, July 20, 1SG4, losing all the lingers of his right 
liand, during the gr:ir.d march to the sea. Rejoined 
hi3 regiment at Raleigh, N. C, and mustered out July 
10, 1S65. 

OWEif A. Ll'CKcneacii. — In file service three months 
under the first call. Entered the three years' service 
as First Lieut. Co. C, 4GtIi regiment Pa. Vols., August 
17, ISCl; promoted to Cnpt. Sept. 4,1801; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, October 2 J, 1SG2. Having been 
wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 
1SG2, and his right leg amputated. Now United States 
Collector of Internal Rev.uni! f>n- the 11th District of 
Pennsylvania. 

John C. Fettee. — Entered tlie three years' service 
August 17, 1S61 ; promoted to Seconrl Lieut. November 
1,1862, of Co. C, 40th regiment Pa. Vols.; resigned 
September 10, 1803. 

Owen B. Sigley.— After the three months' serv'ce, 
entered the 46th regiment Pa. Vols., August 17, 1801 ; 
promoted Second Lieut. M;iy 22, 1SC5; mustered "out 
with his company, July 10, 1805. Now publisher of 
the " Weekly Progress," of South Bethlehem, Pa. 

Charles D. McCarty.— In the three months' service; 
entered the three years' service with Co. C, 16th regi- 
ment Pa. Vols.; promoted Seru't M^or February 12, 
1863 ; mustered out with regiment. He died May 20 
1S67, and on his tomb-,toue in the old Cemetery, is the 
following inscription. 

In memory of Charlts B. MCarty, late 

Sergeant Major of the 40th regiment of 

Penna. Veteran Volunteers, 

Born March 24th, 183S, 

Died May 20th, 1SG7. | 

Forever with the Lord. j 



Thos. B. Gorman.— In the three months' service with 
1st regiment Penna. Vols. In three years' service with 
4Gth regiment Penna. Vols. Promoted to First Lieut. 
Co. H., February 1, 18C2. Disnu>sed the service by 
verdict of a Court Martial. 

Ortille a. Grider. — Entered the nine months' ser- 
vice August 15, 1S62, as Second Lieut, of Co. C, 129th 
Pa. Vols.; promoted to First Lieut. March 28, ISGG ; 
mustered out with company. 

Robert E. Abuott.— Entered nine moutlis' service 
August 15, 1802, as Captain of Co. G, 132tid regiment 
Pa. Vols.; severely wounded in the face at the battle of 
Antietam. Honorably discharged January 13, 1SC3, 
on account of his wound. Now one of the proprietors 
of an iron foundry at Bethlehem. 

Edward IIammann. — Enlisted as a private in Knapp's 
celebrated battery of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and rose 
to the rank of First Lieut, of artillery; mustered out 
of United States service with his company. Now a 
conductor on the North Pennsylvania Railroad. 

Dr. Abraham Stout. — Entered United States ser- 
vice October 1, 1S62, as Assistant Surgeon of the 153rd 
regiment Pa. Vols., of the Army of the Potomac ; mus- 
tered out July 24, 1863. Now a practising phy.<ician 
at Bethlehem. 

Dr. Cuarl^s E. IIumpbreys. — Entered the service 
May 14, 1803, as Assistant Surgeon of tho 142nd regi- 
ment Pa. Vols.; promoted to Surgeon of the 143rd regi- 
ment Pa. Vols., March 17, 186-5 ; mustered out with 
regiment, June 12, 1865. Now Physician at Bethlehem. 

Alexander W. Sslfridge. — Private in Co. A, 38th 
regimeut X'a. Vi.U., June, ISPl; promoted Second 
Lieut. Co U, 40th regiment Pa. Vols , February 0, 1802. 
Served in the Shenandoah Valley under General Banks. 
Was twice captured, escaped the first time; on the sec- 
ond occasion, accused of violating his parole, but ac- 
quitted of tho charge and sent to '■ Libby Prison*' with 
the rest of General Pope's officers. Exchanged ia four 
months, joined his regiment in the field, and was pro- 
moted to Captain of his company. Served with Sher- 
nuin during his great march to the sea. At Altooiia 
was appointed acting Commissary of Subsistence on 
General Knipe's staff. Then on the staflF of General 
Broughton, in the same capacity, and afterwards on 
the staff 01' General Sel&'idge, (his uncle,) Breveted 
Major March 13, 1S05, for his galhmtry during the war, 
and Iioaorably mustered out of service August, lSO.'j. 

Horace B. Jones. — Entered tlie nine months' servicis 
September 1, 1803, as First Lieut, of Co. G, 4Gth regi- 
ment Pa. Vols.; resigned September 23, 1864. 

Joseph A. Fry. — Entered the service October 7, 18C2, 
as Captain of Co. B., 153 regiment Pa. Vol.^., Army of 
the Potomac. Mustered out July 24, 1SG3. 

IIexrt J. Oekter. — Entered the service as Captain 
of Co. C, 153 regiment Pa. Vols., OctobL-r 7, 1SG2; mua- 



lOG 



H I 3 T n I C A L SKETCH OF 



tereil out July 23, 1863. Now deceased, and buried in 
iLtoId Moravian grave yard at Bethlehem. 

Bexj'n F. Boter.— Enteied tlie eervice for uiiie 
iiiODths', as Second Lieut. Co. C, 153id regiment I'.i. 
'\'ul3. ; resigned January 22, 18C3. Kow merchant in 
Betlilehem. 

Joar» Frederick K. Trueauff. — Entered the service 
April 20, 18C1, as Fir&t Lieut., three months, afterwards 
in the nine months' service, with the 153rd regiment 
Pa. Vols , aa Mnjor. Assistant Inspector General for 
General McLawa; mnstered out with regiment July 
21, 1SG3. Now attorney-at-law, Litiz, I\i. 

Owen Rice, Jr. — Entered tlie nine mouths' service 
in lJJ3rd regiment Pa. Tols., as Captain of Co. A, Octo- 
ber 7, 1802; mustered out with regiment. July 23,1863. 
■\Vouuded at Chancellorsville. Now a druggist at 
Lancaster, I'a. 

Andrew A. Luckenbach. — Entertd the service as 
private in Co. A, 1st regiment Pa. Tols., April, 1861, 
three months; re-entered service August 16, 1SC2, as 
rirst Lieut. Co. C, 129th regiment Pa. Vols., nine 
months; promoted to Captain March IS, 1SC3, and 
mustered out May 18, 1863, Now miller at Bethlehc-ni. 
William D. Luckenbach.— Entered the service for 
nine months, August 12, 1802, as private in Co. C, 129th 
Pa. Vols.; re-entered service September 4, 1SC4, as 
I'irst Lieut, and Adjutant of 202 regiment Pa. Vols, for 
one year; promoted to Assistant Atljutant General to 
General Albriglit, of the Army of the Potomac ; mus- 
tered out of service August 4, 1865. Now attorney-at- 
law, Alleutown, Pa. 

Captain Jonathan K. Taylor has tlip fullowing re- 
cord engraven on his tomb, in the old Bethlehem grave 
yard: 

"To the memory of Captain .lOXATIIAN K. TAYLOR, 

Co. C, 129th regiment Pa. Vols., eon of David and 

Hannah K. Taylor, who received a mortal 

wound at the battle of Fredericksburg, 

December 13, 1862, and died at Georg - 

town, D. C, March 28, 1863, aged 

20 years, 11 months and 20 

days. By his comrades 

in arms."' 

Cut upon a shield, surmounted by the American eagle, 
and ornamented by the national flag, and thcbatallion 
colors. 

Lieut. Col. Samuel Wetherill entered the United 
States service as the Captain of Co. II, which he raised 
by his own exertions, on the 25th of September, 1861, 
and served with distinction until the end of the war, 
when he \va3 mustered out October 2, 1864, bavin" 
attained the rank of Major. On the 13th of March, 
1865. He was breveted as a Lieut. Col. for distinguishpd 
services during the war. He is a son of the late ec- 
entric John Price Wetherill,of Philadelphia, who was 



in his day a prominent man, and a popular mt- niber of 
the Masonic fraternity. 

The Rev. Mb. Nevin, late Rector of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of the Nativity, in South Bethlehem, 
was the commander during the war, of Nevin's cl-c- 
brated Battery uf Lijjht Artillery. Hi.' is now in cl ar^^o 
of the American Chapel at Rome, in Italy. 

The following short sketch of company A, 
4th regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, is in- 
serted, to give some idea of the nature ami 
extent of the duty performed by our soldiers 
in the field. It was in this company, as 
will be seen, that General Wiiliam Emil 
Doster entered the service. 

Company A, 4th regiment, Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, was recruited on the** Sand Island," 
Bethlehem, in August, 1S61, from Bethlehem, 
Easton, "Weissport, Summit IliU and Maueh 
Chunk. The company left Bethlehem IIG 
strong, and was mustered into Harlan's Cav- 
alry, (afterwards the 11th Penna.,) at Phila- 
delphia, August lo, 18Gl,with the following 
oflQcers. 

Capt. Wm. Emil Doster, Bethlehem. 
First Lieut., Herman Horn, Weissport. 
Second Lieut., Edward Tombler, Bethlehem. 

The company was transferred to the 4th 
Penna. Cavalry, commanded successively by 
Cols. Compbell, Childs, (killed at Antietam,) 
Kerr, Doster, Covode, (killed at St. Mary's 
Church,) and Young ; and served to the close 
of the war, in 2nd Brig. 2nd Div., Cavalry 
Corps, Army of the Potomac, being at differ- 
ent times under the command of Gens. Kcycs, 
Stoneman, Averill, Pleasanton, Kilpatrick, 
Gregg, Duilie and Sheridan. 

It participated in the following engage- 
ments : — Gaines' Hill; Charles City Cro£S 
Poads ; Iledgeville ; Antietam ; Markham 
Station ; Kelley's Ford; Chancellorsville; 
Upperville; Middleburg; Aldie; Snicker's 
Gap ; Gettysburg ; Sheppardstown ; Bealtou ; 
Ilhappahanock Station; Beverly Ford; Cul- 
pepper; Trevilian Station ; Totld's Tavern; 
Sulphur Springs; Deep Bottom ; St. Mary's 
Church ; Peam Station ; Stony Creek ; Boyd- 
ton Road; AVyatt's Farm, and Bellefield. 

Eighteen of the company were captured 
at Sulphur Springs, and died at Anderson- 
ville, including A. Walion, cf South Eethle- 



B E T II L i: n i: Ji, pi: n n z y l v a n i a. 



10 



hem, First Serg't, and Josiah MoHoee, of 
Hanover. 

Capt. Tumbler served through all the eam- 
1 aign before Eiohmonil, noted for bravery 
and discipline. On the march before Gettys- 
burg, heeucoumbed to chronic diarrhoea, and 
was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, 
of which he commanded a batallion to the 
close of the war, at Evansville, Indiana. 
Capt Andrews succeeded Capt. Tombler, and 
was breveted Major, he commanded the 
company until tne death of Col. Covode. 
Capt. Andrews was succeeded by Capt. Ilynd- 
man,ofMauch Chunk, ■« ho was also breveted 
Major. 

Capt. Poster was, in October, 18(il, pro- 
moted to jMajor, :u March, 1862, assigned to 
duty on the staff of Gen. James S. Wads- 
worth, and ajjpointed to succeed Gen. Porter 
as Provost Marshal of the cities of Washing- 
ton, Georgetown, and Alexandria. In March, 
1863, he took command of his regiment as 
Lieut. Colonol. During Stoneman's raid 
before Chancellorsville, he was put in com- 
mand of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. At Up- 
perville, Va., during a charge on Fitzhugh 
Lee's cavalry, he was captured, but by kill- 
ing his captor, succeeded in rejoining his 
command. He was subsequently transferred 
to the Colonelcy of the 5th Penna. Cavalry, 
and breveted Brig. Gen. for gallant and 
meritorious conduct at Gettysburg. Now 
attorney-at-'aw, at Easton, Pa. 

Col. IIenkt Coppze, L. I. D., President of the Lehigh 
Uuiversity, and now a resident of S-juth Bethlehem, 
was, during the rebellion, aid de-camp to Governor 
Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and in that capacity, heing a 
graduate of West Point, was of great service to the 
State, ne also, during that time, edited the United 
States Service Magazine; and after the war, wrote an 
excellent life of our President, General U. S. Giant. 

JoUN n. PilCE, of Bethlehem, wag the Second Lieut, 
of Co. tl, nth regiment Penna. Cavalry. 

David A. Lcckexb.\ch was the captain of a company 
of boys during the rebellion, who were handsomely 
equipped, and exceedingly wlII drilled, and deserve 
mention. He served as Orderly Sergeant on three 
diflerent occasions in the companies of militia raised in 
Bethlehem during the rebel raids on the State; when 
he declined the office of Second Lieut, the first time, 
that of First Lieut, on the second, and that of Captain 



on the third, for either of which posiMons he was well 
qualified, saying that he cjuld be of more service as F, rst 
Sergeant. Now one the proprietors of the old Mill at 
Bethlehem. 

From the Bethlehem Daily Times the follow- 
ing account of the proceedings on *' Decora- 
tion Day" of May 29th, 1869, is copied, viz : 

" Decoration Day. — In all ages of the 
world and in all nations, it has been thecus- 
tom of the living to honor the memory of 
the dead, who lost their lives in battle for 
the defence of their country. Yesterday and 
Saturday wore set apart by tlie highest au- 
thority in the Grand Army of the Republic 
for the decoration of the graves of soldiers 
who lost their lives in the Union armies 
during the late civil war, as also of those 
who at any time fell in the defence of the 
country and under her flag. In this exer- 
cise it was designed that all citizens should 
unite. Owing to the fact that comjjaratively 
short notice had been given for praparatiou 
for the decoration of the graves of Beth- 
lehemites and strangers who lie in soldiers' 
graves in and about the town, it was feared 
that the turnout of citizens would be meagre; 
but such was not the case. A goodly num- 
ber of those who thought they could spare a 
quarter of a day from labor to honor the 
graves and memory of those who died that 
they might labor whole days in peace and 
safety, were present. For some reason, lo 
us unknown, the citizens were not marshaled 
in line, and therefore did not add their num- 
bers to the line of the procession. A drum 
corps with fife, members of the G. A. R., 
young ladies with boquets for the graves, 
and numbers of the firemen from all the 
companies, formed the Order of procession. 
We have only to add that those who partici- 
pated in the decoration of soldiers' graves in 
and about Bethlehem, on Saturday, May 29, 
1869, were abundantly satisfied with the 
exercises, and that, now that Post 182, Grand 
Army of the Republic, is fully organized, 
they expect on all occasions of the kind here- 
after, to be fully prepared to do honor to 
their fallen comrades. 

" When the last graves had been decorated, 
in the old Moravian Burying Ground, Gen. 



108 



n I S T K I C A L S K L T C II OF 



Selfridge, the Chief Marshal, introduced Rev. 
Mr. Kevin, of the Church of the Nativity, of 
South Bethlehem, ■who made a short address 
full of comprehensive patriotism, of honor 
to the dead soldier and sailor, and of hope 
for peace and harmony in our great country, 
and of exhortation to be true to the spirit of 
our institutions, the permanence of which 
depends upon the citizen soldiery of the couu- 
try. 

" Via cannot more fittingly close these 
hasty words concerning what Bethlehem 
and her surviving soldiers and citizens did 
to honor the memory of their dead comrades 
and protectors than to quote these words of 
the poet Montgomery: 

*' Give me the death of those 

"Who for their country die ; 
Awl oh I be mine like their repose, 

When cold and low they lie ! 
Their Invcliest mother earth 

rnshrines the fallen brave; 
In her sweet lap, who gave them birth. 
They find their tranquil grave." 
" The following is a list of those soldiers 
w-hose graves were decorated with flowers in 
the old Moravian Burying Ground. 

Capt. J. K.Taylor; Capt. J. II. Rice : Lieut. 
Merrill; Clarence Kampman ; F. Fickardt; 
Hiram Yohe; Henry Haas ; Capt. H. J. Oer- 
ter; Lieut. E. Doster; Serg't Maj. McCarty ; 
E. A. Slolzenbach ; A. Fickardt; Jno. C. 
Hagen; J. B. Vail, (navy.) 

In Nisky Hill Cemetery.— Albert C. Cort- 
right; John Jones. 

In the Lutheran Grave Yard.— E(;ward 
Troxell ; Tobias Jones. 

In the Methodist Grave Yard.— I'rias 

Bodder; Hess ; Schwabb. 

In the year 1S60, the Military Companies 
of the town, consisted of the "Bethlehem 
Artillery," Cajitain W!l/lmn Wilson, 31. D., 
now deceased. The company had a fine ar- 
mory in the large brick structure in Broad 
street, east of Kew street on the north side; 
the building was erected for that purpose. 
The Masonic Lodge of Bethlehem now hold 
their meetings in the upper portion of the 
house. The "Washington Grays," comman- 
ded by Captain James L. SelJ'riJge, now Bre- 



vet Brigadier General of U. S. Volunteers, 
was then organized as a company of Infant- 
ry. There was also a company of Cavalry, 
known as the "Bethlehem Cavalry," under 
Col. Geo. I^c?^«CJ■. 

In this connection I cannot refrain from 
relating an incident which occurred during 
Lee's advance on Pennsylvania in 1863, just 
preceding the battle of Ceiti/abuir/. One Sun- 
day morning, in the latter part of June, 
whilst the congregation were at worship in 
the Moravian church, a telegraphic message 
was received from Governor Curtin, calling 
for a company of volunteers from Bethle- 
bem. The church bell was rung, creating 
the most intense excitement among the con- 
gregation. The rfruni coj/M was ordered out, 
marched through the town, arousing all the 
inhabitants, who flocked to the " Eagle Ho- 
tel." As the people came from the church a 
meeting was organized, the wishes of the 
State authorities made known, volunteers 
called for, and enough men to form a com- 
pany, quickly enrolled their names. As each 
gave his name he hurried home to equip 
himself for the field, and say good-bye to the 
loved ones there. Some, however, came 
ready to march ; the long roll of the drums 
had told them their country called, and like 
most men of the day they were ready to take 
the field at amoment's notice, for none knew 
how soon they might be called. So like the 
old soldier all were ready to "fall in" when 
the order was given. A company fund was 
freely subscribed by the citizens and paid 
over to a treasurer selected by the meeting. 
Company officers were elected, viz., Frank 
C. Stone, captain; Wm. H. McCarty, 1st 
Lieutenant; Henry Schelly, 2d Lieutenant; 
together with five sergeants and eight cor- 
porals. One gentleman, i)«tJid 0. Luckenbwk, 
was nominated for 2d Lieutenant, but de- 
clined, saying, " I would rather be orderly 
sergeant, I know the duties of that position 
best." He was accordingly elected to the 
desired position. 

In oue hour from the time of sounding (lie 
alarm, ninety-four men fully equipped and 
ably officered fell in, at the order, ready for 



BETIILEnEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



109 



service in the field. A short, stirring, and 
patriotic speech was made to the company, 
bv the eloquent physician. Doctor Frederick 
A. Frickhardt; ending, "God bless you 
boys ! Go I we know you will do your duty 
to your country." Then the druma beat; 
parents, relatives and friends cheered, many 
with tears in their eyes, and choking sobs 
in theirvoices, as they heard thestern com- 
mand, " shoulder arms," " right face," " for- 
ward march I" and saw those they loved 
going from their sight perhaps forever. So 
many of those who but a short hour before 
were engaged in the service of their God, 
marched ready to serve their country in the 
hour of her direst need. 

When the company reached Reading, it 
was incorporated into the 34th Regiment of 
Pennsylvania Militia, under Col. Albright. 
Abm. S. Schropp, one of the members of the 
Bethlehem company, was elected Adjutant 
of the regiment with the rank of Lieuten- 
ant. Edmund Duster (now deceased) another 
private, was elected Regimental Quarter- 
master. 

On a previous call for volunteers by the 
authorities of the State, a full company of 
militia was raised on a few hours notice, and 
dispatched the same day to the front. The 
company consisted of eighty-six privates 
and non-commissioned officers. David 0. 
Luckenback being 1st Sergeant. The com- 
missioned officers were Joseph Peters, Cap- 
tain | F. J. Ilaus, 1st Lieutenant; Abraham 
S. Schropp, 2d Lieutenant. 

It was thus all over the country, that the 



nation's gallant sons rushed to arms, and 
we astonished Foreign Nations by showing 
them that a free people could assemble a 
well-disciplined militia force in the field 
with the same marvelous rapidity, that they 
could put in motion their large standing 
armies; and we afterwards increased their 
surprise by disbanding a million and a half 
of soldiers in a few months ; returning them 
quietly to the pursuits of civil life, and pay- 
ing all expenses of a gigantic civil war, 
without foreign aid of any kind, but nuuli 
opposition. It is only in a republic, such as 
ours, where every man is free and unfettered 
in mind, body and estate, th^t such things 
can be accomplished. 

0, thus be it ever, AVhen fr* eman shall stand 
Between their loveti homes, and the wars desolation , 
Blessed witli victory and peace, may heaven's rescued 

land; 
BlesB the Power that hath made and preserved us- a 

Nation. ' 

Bethlehem was full of soldiers during tlie 
war. Recruiting offices for all arms of the 
service were open. Recruits, veterans, sol- 
diers and officers, sick, discharged, on duty, 
or on leave, gave the place the appearance 
of a Garrison town; and the uniforms of the 
U. S. cavalry, infantry and artillery were 
common in the streets. And during tlio 
long winter evenings as we gathered arouiul 
the fire at the Eagle, "old soldiers" of twen- 
ty-four or younger, related the stories of 
.their battles to their friends, and to each 
other. May thoy all live long to tell their 
stories over again for many years to come. 



110 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 




TUE CHURCH AND SEMINARY. — 1830. 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER XII. 
The Entertrises of the Moravian Church. 
— Theik Schools. — Their Publications. — 
The Text-Book. — Dirts Days, and their 
Celebeation. — The First Printing Opfioe. 
— The Newspapers op Bethlehem in 
the Past and Present. — " Pennsylvania 
Dutch." — Love- Feasts." — The Moravian 
Christmas Putz. — Thk " Youns Men's 
Missionary Society," and Christian As- 
sociation of Bethlehem. 



^If 



HE enterprises of the Moravian Churca, 
are Home and Foreign Missions, Edu- 
cational Institutions, and Publications. 

The Educational Institutions of the Mora- 
vian Church in America,are vcryjustly much 
esteemed, and enjoy the public confidence in 
a high degree; their schools are liberally pa- 
tronized, and many thousands of pupils not 
belonging to the communion of the church, 
have received their education in Moravian 
hoarding schools. The Moravian College, and 
the Seminary for females at Bethlehem, have 
already been referred to. yuzanth Hall 



Boarding School for Boys, went into opera- 
tion in 17S5, and and has been in succsssful 
operation ever since, at Kazareth, Pa., with 
an average attendance of ninety-six pupils. 
Linden Hull j at Litiz, Pa., a school for Girls, 
■"•as founded in 1704, and has an average of 
100 scholars per year. Sulem- Academt/, for 
Females, at Salcni, Korth Carolina, where 
scholars were first taken in 1802, has had to 
this time over 4,000 pupils. Hope Academi/ 
at Hope, Indiana, was founded in 1866, anil 
Llnaska Acudcmtj, at Cnasha, Minnesota, wus 
established in ISCo, bt>th fur the education 
of females. 

The publication office, and store of the 
Church are located at Bethlehem, Pa., of 
which my good friend, Henry T. Clauder, is 
the amiable and eflSeient head, where all of 
the historical and religious works of the 
Moravian Church, can be obtained. 

The publications of the Church in America 
are " The Moravian," in the English lan- 
guage, and " Der Brueder Botschafter," in 
the German, the former a weekly, and the 
latter a bi-weekly newspaper; and both now 



B L T II L E II E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



Ill 



ably edited by the Rev'd Ilerman A. Brick- 
enstein. 

" Ber Brueder Botschafter," or Brotherly 
Messenger, is intended for the German Mo- 
ravians. It contains exhaustive reports of 
the Missions of the Church, and copious ex- 
tracfs from apjiropriate German publications- 
The first number was issued in the month 
of September, ISfifi. 

" The Moraviau," in 18jG, took the place 
of •■The Moravian Church Miscellany," a 
monthly publication of the church, which 
was issued from 1850 to 1855, inclusive. At 
first it was an eight page folio, but in 1S62 
it was enlarged, and then again in 1864, to 
its present size. Previous to " The Miscel- 
lany," the church printed " The Missionary 
Intelligencer," from the year 1821 to 1850. 

The Provincial Elders' Conference, having 
been authorized by the Provincial Synod, 
are now erecting a building for the use of 
the Publication Office, in Bethlehem. The 
site selected is on Main Street. The build- 
ing will be four-stories hJgh ; the book-store, 
counting-house and editor's office being on 
the first floor, and the composing-room, and 
bindery on the fourth. The press-room will 
be in the basement. The middle floors not 
being at present required for the uses of the 
establishment, will be fitted up as offices. 
The present expenses for rent is quite equal 
to the interest of the morfey to be thus in- 
vested. And the rent of the offices will pay 
all the necessary outlay required for repairs 
to the building, insurance, taxes, &e. 

The Moravians were the first people who 
emploj'ed the art of printing for the publica- 
tion of the Bible in a living tongue. And 
from the Moravian Publication Office at 
Bethlehem, they print and issue all Devo- 
tional boooks of their Church, Sunday- 
Schools and Missions in the United States. 

It has been the custom of the Brethren's 
Church, since the year 1731, to issue annu- 
ally a little volume called the " Text-Book," 
consisting of a selection of verses from the 
Bible for each day, with appropriate collects 
taken from their hymn book. To which has 
been added a reference to the Bible lessons 



for the day, as will be seen by reference to 
the " Text- Book" of 1870. The first verse or 
" Daily Word," contains a short sentence of 
prayer, exhortation or promise. The second 
or " Doctrinal text," is intended to enforce 
some doctrinal truth or practical duty. This 
custom arose out of another, which was ob- 
served in the first congregation of the Ke- 
newed Church, at Ilernhut, of ai)pointing 
for each day some persons, whose duty it was 
to go from house to house and greet the in- 
mates with a text from the Bible, which was 
to serve as a subject for meditation during 
the day, and furnished the topic of discourse 
in the evening meeting of the congregation. 
This arrangement afterwards gave place to 
the annual issue of this little manual, which 
is now (1870) in its 140th year. It is thus 
prepared: "the Elders Conference of the 
Unity," at Hernhut, select each year many 
hundreds of suitable Texts, from these they 
draw by Lot, one from each Testament, for 
each day, of the coming year; to each of 
these Texts is added an appropriate stanza 
from the Moravian Hymn Book. Then the 
Text Book for the coming year is printed and 
furnished at a trifling expense to the Menr- 
bers of the difi'ereut Moravian Congregations, 
and Missions throughout the world. There 
appeared in 1869, in the German, 39,750 copies 
of this work. In English, 4,800 copies. In 
French, 5,600 copies; Negro-English, used 
in Surinam, South America, 600 copies. 
Nearly 50,750 copies were printed. Being 
usually read at the early morning meal, or 
in connection with the private or family 
devotions, the texts affijrd food for reflection, 
and often prove of the most striking appli- 
cation, and encouragement to the pious ami 
attentive heart, (see appendix to Text- Book 
of 1869.) This ancient and beautiful custom 
is still retained in all true Moravian house- 
holds in Bethlehem. - At the breakfast-table 
the selections from the Text-Book, are read 
before eating, and the " DIrth-daij Bonk" is 
laid beside theplateofthe head of thefamilv, 
with the " Text- Book." In this latter book, 
or on the margin of the " Text-Book, is gene- 
rally entered a record of all the birth-day.^ 



112 



HISTOniCAL SKETCH OF 



of the members of the family, and all of their 
friends, so that, if on the way to business, 
or during the day, the relative or friend is 
met, he or she can be congratulated. 

As an exanijilo of Ihc daily devotions, the 
following is copied from the *' Text- Book'* of 
1870, under da'e of April 7ih, viz: 

" Thursday 1. Num. xi., 21-oj. 

" ' He shall come <lown like raiu upon (lie 
mown grass, as showers that water llie earth.' 
rs. 72, vi. 

As UAIN OVERSTIIEAJIIKG THK PARCHllU 

GitouND. — With plenty now teeming, spreads 

VERDURE AROUND. — TlIE PROllISED BLESSING 
ITS INFLUENCE DIFFUSES. 739. 1. 

'Take no thought for to-morrow; for the 
morrow shall take thought for the things of 
itself. SufEcient unto the day is the evil 
thereof.' — Matt., vi. o-i. 

What tuou shalt to day provide, 
Let me as a child receive. 
What to-morrow may betide. 
Calmly to thy wisdom leave : 
*tls enough that thou wilt care, 
Why should i the burthen bear? 

—104. 2. 
17."j. — Departure of the first Missionaries to 

Surinam. 
17."..^). — Arrival of Spangenberg with the first 
Colony of the Brethren, at Savan- 
nah, Georgia." 
From Itoudthaler's Life of Ileckewelder, 
page 141, t lie following in format ion contained 
in a note, is copied. 

" The volume of* Daily Words,' or as it is 
called in the German, the Watchword o( (ho 
congregation, is published every year. Its 
contents are two texts for every day in the 
year, one taken from the Old, and the other 
from tlie New Testament. To each is sub- 
joined a suitable verse, or part of a ^■crse, 
iVora the Moravian hymn book. Nothing 
finds a place in such a volume that does not 
tend to real edification. All texts that might 
conduce to useless disputing, or subtile dis- 
tinctions of doctrines, T^hich those often un- 
derstand the least who busy themselves most 
about them, are omitted. Inspection will 
Ehow such subjects as the Li.ive of Christ, his 



Sufferings and Death, his guardianship of 
the Christian Church, Love to Christ, Uoli- 
ucss of life. Surrender of the heart to him, 
Confidence in God, the Happiness of the life 
to come, Ac, to form the contents. These 
yearly volumes have done much towards 
promoting unity of spirit and simplicity of 
faith in the church. In the earlier times of 
the Renewed Church of the Brethren, these 
' Daily Words' were not printed, but announc- 
ed every day in the different houses in Hern- 
hut. They were to serve as a watchword in 
the daily warfare of the soldiers of Christ, 
by which to cheer, as well as exhort one an- 
other, lleuce the name ' Loosung,' (Watch- 
word,) by which they are still known in the 
German Congregation." 

Among the members of the family and their 
friends in Bethlehem, it is the universal cus- 
tom to celebrate all the birth-days, by pres- 
ents and a little home Love-feast. The an- 
niversary of marriages are also celebrated in 
a like manner. These little social courtesies 
render life more happy and attractive to the 
older ones ; and to the little ones these are 
periods of unalloyed happiness. 

Sometimes these social festivals have a 
deeper meaning, taking the form of a " Sur- 
prise Party," with music and singing ; some- 
times presents to a worthy minister, at an- 
other time to celebrate a father, mother or 
friend's fiftieth birth-day, or the Golden 
Wedding of some beloved old friend or con- 
nection. On such occasions, the friends and 
relatives of those to be honored or surprised, 
are all in the secret, a meal is prepared and 
floral tributes adorn the well loaded table. 
I remember such an event, a friend's fiftieth 
birth-day had arrived, and everybody retired 
to bed early, much to his annoyance, so at 
last, ho went grumbling off to rest, as he 
supposed, and when the light was out in his 
room, busy hands prepared the festive table, 
with suppressed voices and half-choked 
laughter; at midnight, beneath his window, 
the old Bethlehem Band played " Should old 
acquaintance be forgotten;" and then, until 
morning, music, fun and jollity reigned su- 
preme. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



113 



From the "Moravian" of February 25th, 
ISfiO, is inserted, here, from an editorial item, 
a beautiful description of 

" A Goi.DKV Wedding at Litiz, Pa. — The 
following account of tho golden wedding cele- 
bration of Brother and Sister John Beck, of 
Litiz, was prepared at our request. The friends 
of the jKiir :!rc so many in all parts of the 
Ciiurch, that it will be read with much interest 
and hearty sympathy. 

''Dear Moravian. — The name of the 'Old 
Seboolmastor' of Litiz, is a familiar and beloved 
one ill many a family throughout tho length 
and brcailUi of our land, and his occasional 
communications in our church-paper have been 
pursued with interest aud delight, so that a 
brief account of the celebration of his Golden 
Wedding, whitdi took place on Tuesday, Feb. 
2d, in the dear iild village of Litiz, may not be 
out o^ place. 

'■ The afternoon and evening of the previous 
day brought children, grand-children and 
friends to the old homestead, where, for fifty 
years, from the very beginning of their married 
life, the now vcncrahle couple have resided. It 
was a delightful reunion, and the usually quiet 
rooms were full of life and gladness. After the 
old people had retired for tho night, loving 
hands made tho preparations for the morrow's 
celebration. Kind friends iu town had con- 
tributed freely of their floral treasures, and 
these, with wrcuths of evergreen and ivy, were 
used in decorating the parlor. There were flit- 
tings in and out, mysterious whisperings, and 
stifled laughter, lest tuspicion might be awak- 
ened. The table was draped with white and 
the gifts spread out to the best advantage. At 
last all was done, and with bright anticipations 
for tho morrow, the company dispersed. The 
quiet of the early dawn was broken by the 
sweet strains of tho trombones, arousing the 
dear old folks from their slumbers and calling 
down a benison upon their heads. The choir 
was led by one of the ?on3, and the beloved 
mother's favorite tunes had been selected as tho 
first sounds which should greet her ears on this 
happy morning. Then followed the delighted 
surprise as the parlor was entered ; the happy 
morning meal, the lovin;^ congratulations, com- 



munications in poetry and prose from absent 
friends, and cordial interchanges of thought 
and feeling. There was 'holy joy and children's 
glee/ merry laughter, and sometimes to a brim- 
ming eye, as allusions were made to the * loved 
ones gone before.' The remembrance of those 
sainted ones was no check upon our happiness; 
it only served to hallow the joy and remind us 
that we have a ' better country, even an heav- 
enly,' and that tlih is not our rest. 

"Then followed the grand dinner at the Litiz 
hotel, tho dining-room of which was for the 
time exclusively at the service of the school- 
master's family. Around one table the older 
portion of the company were gathered, children, 
friends, and all the resident ministers with their 
wives. At the other, the sixteen grand-chil- 
dren did justice to the profusion of good things, 
which bespoke not only tho liberality of our 
venerable friend, but also tho culinary skill of 
the hotel hostress. Before partaking of the 
meal, the pastor, Kev. E. T. Klugc, proposed 
that the company unite in singing, in the old 
Moravian style, a liymn expressive of our good 
wishes for our old friends. Accordingly all 
present with united voices sang, 

"'Be thuir comfort which ne'er faileth, kc* 

"After the repast the old schoolmaster was 
called upon for a speech, which he made in his 
happiest style, relating various experiences 
connected with the first opening of his school, 
and giving God tho glory for all tho success 
with which he had met. By request, Kcv, E. 
Frucauff replied in the German language. Ho 
had been one of tho old schoolmaster's first 
scholars, and paid an eloquent tribute to his 
former instructor's faithfulness, interspersing 
his remarks with some incidents of the olden 
time, which caused bursts of merriment. 

" Later iu the afternoon the company gather- 
ed again in the homestead, when two little 
grand-children received the riteof huly baptism, 
from the bauds of the pastor. 

^*At 7 oVlock, P. M., the congregation had 
been invitcl to partake of a love-feast in the 
church, a printed psalm for which had been 
prepared. The pulpit and altar were tastefully 
decorated with flowers and evergreens, and a 
delightful feeling of joyousness and love per- 



114 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



vailed the whole assembly. The relatives of 
the old schoolmaster occupied the front pew?, 
while he and his beloved wife sat on the same 
spot before the minister, where they had plight- 
ed their troth fifty years before. AVe would 
fain speak of the beautiful humility visible in 
every feature of htr face, but we know these are 
flowers which love best to bloom in the shade, 
a d so we forbear. Before singing the psalm 
the pastor in a very neat address told the con- 
gregation why they had assembled there: then 
spoke to the aged couple about the faithfulness 
with which their Lord had led them through 
days of prosperity as well as adversity, and 
finally pronounced over them the Old Testament 
benediction. The congregational singiog was 
delightful J every voice seemed tuned fcr the 
occasion. A serenade from the Litiz Sextette, 
later in the evening, closed the happy day, and 
with peaceful and happy hearts all sought their 
rest that night. It was a never to- be -forgot ten 
time. Not the slightest thing occurred to mar 
the festivity, and the true, old Moravian spirit 
of unfeigned love and simplicity seemed to per- 
vade the whole day. The Saviour's presence 
and His approving smile was felt throughout 
the day, and those who returned to their homes 
next morning, did so with hearts encouraged 
and refreshed. 

'* God bless the dear old couple. May the 
light of His countenance beam upon them, 
smoothing their declining years, and granting 
them at last an abundant entrance into His 
kingdom." 

The first printing office was established in 
Bethlehem by Henry Muller, a Moravian, 
in 1762. His place of business was in Mar- 
ket Street, in one of the old log houses near 
the old Grave Yard. The first newspaper 
printed in the town was issued in 1S45, in 
the German language, called " Die Biene," 
and was edited by Dr. A. L. Huebener, and 
was printed by Julius Held. Commencing 
iu the year 18J3, an English newspaper, 
called *' ieAf'y/t Valley y/wfcj*," was published 
for five years, conducted by E. H. Rauch. 
After its discontinuance, a weekly paper en- 
titled " The Bethlehem Advocate,,' was 
printed for several years, edited by II. Reudo. 



On the 27th of January, 18G6, D. J. God- 
shalk commenced the publication of a weekly 
paper, called the ''Lehigh Vallci/ Chronicle," 
of which he was both editor and proprietor. 
On the 22d of December, iu the same year, it 
was discontinued. And on the 4th of Feb- 
ruary, 18G7, he first printed and issued " The 
Bethlehem Daily Times," which has been three 
several limes since then enlarged. And it 
has been so successful a publication, that its 
editor began on the 20th of June, 1868, the 
publication of a weekly issue, under the name 
of the " Wcekli/ Times and Educator.** Under 
the latter head embracing articles in favor 
of, and support our liberal principles of pub- 
lic school education established in this State.: 
and of interest to those engaged in teaching. 
Which paper receives, as it very justly de- 
serves, a large and increasing support. Mr. 
Godshalk, in connection with the issue of 
his papers, has a large printing office for the 
miscellaneous purposes of his business. 

The peculiar dialect spoken in many parts 
of this state by those of German and Dutch 
descent, is called " Pennsylvania Dutch," more 
properly it should be called, perhaps, '■ Penn- 
sylvania German," in some parts. A late 
writer says that it "is a South German patois, 
a cross between the soft AUemanium or Swa- 
bian, and the hard glib low German more or 
less intermingled with Germanized English 
words J in some localities in the State there is 
little intermixtureof English in the dialect." 
Thi.^ may all be very true, but the name of 
** Pennsylvania Dutch" originated from the 
patois spoken by the old residents of Reading 
audits vicinity, and originating there. Dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War of 1776, the Am- 
erican forces captured a brigade of British 
troops, at JRed-Banlc, below Philadelphia, in 
New Jersey, commanded by Count Dunop 
i. € , Done-up, and so pronounced, which 
brigad:; contained three regiments of Hes- 
sians, these were sent to Reading, then a 
depot for prisoners, and remained there ever 
after J the English government refusing to 
pay the expense of their transportation to 
their homes. So they settled, married, lived 
and died there. And their descendants 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



115 



mingling with the Americans, and being 
without education, naturally acquired the 
patois, which has extended over the State, 
anil although now intermixed with German, 
is called " Pennsylvania Dutph," aspecimen 
of which is contained in the following copy 
of an advertisement, of an old acquaintance. 
Tlic first line means " Just look here once !" 
A favorite expression in and about Bethle- 
hem. 

COOK YUSHT AMOHL DO II I 

Monsleit un Weibsleit! I 

ECW.V UN MJED YUNGY UN OLTY. 

ATTESTIO.N ! I 

DEE EAGLE DRUG SHTORE I 

Der Besht under Wholfealsht I 

\V.M. S. SEAGEil, OBaADE.iKEl;. 

In der Drift Shtrose, Sued Bethlehem. 
Olsfort uf bond, oily sorta fun de beslity 
Drugs uu Meditziena, un ou de wholfealshty 
prices. Also, Paint, Oehl, Glaws, Varnish. 
&c. Her hen aw an ueier article dos gor net 
gebutta konn weeri'a ; es is de bareemt 

"SALTED SODA" 

uu wierd g'used for seaf kocha. Prowiers 

aniohl — de directions we mors braucht 

geaua niit. Cm Eagle Drug Shtore 

is aw der plotz for 

PATENT MEDITZIENA, BITTEES, ic, 
Ac, itc, 

Fun oily ort, un ou de wholfealshty prices. 

Also, Coal-Oehl, Lompa, Waugba- 

shmeer, &c., &c. 

Now mind was mer sawya ; mer hen olles 

uf bond was mer denka konn in unser line 

of bisness. AVe g'sawt, unser prices sin 

wholfealer dos in ennichem onnera Drug 

Shtore im County. Ferges't net der platz, 

l.V DER DRITT SIITROSE UNNICH DER LOCUST 
SUED BETHLEHEM. 

Now is de tseit; macht eich bei,un judg'd 
for eich selwer; kummt in foor weasa, uf 
horseback, uf em Eailroed odder tsu foos — 
mer sin gor net particular wie, yusht so dos 
der kommt on 
DER EAGLE OERADEAK IX SUED BETHLEEEM. 

Un bringt eier greenbacks mit. Wholfeal 
for Cash — sell is unser style. 

•VriLLIAM S. SBAGER, 

Obbadeaker. 
August 28, 1SC9. 



The following piece of poetry, in " Penn- 
sylvania German," by L. A. Wollenweber, of 
Philadelphia, is copied from the ll'eeiVy 
Prngress," of South Bethlehem, under date of 
June 23rd, ISTO, and will be found in one 
of the interesting and very amusing letters of 
"Danny Kratzer" (Edward Ebermann,) 
" Ains fun Jfihuiii/ aciiui toova," which are a 
marked feature in the weekly issue of that 
paper. 

"'I bin au ti) [\'ini.s}Ivitui(T 

D'ruff bill ich Stolz uuJ troh. 

Dass Land ia slu-iy, die Leut Bin nett 

Bei Tacliinks I ich mach schier en'ge wett, 

'S biets kay Land der VTelt.' 

Wir Stamme vun die Deutsche her, 

Dniff bin ich a recht stolz, 

Die Deutsciic sin arg brave Leut 

Sill Sparaam. fleissig lind gesheit, 

Sic biet kc Folk der Welt. 

Do guk nnr nU de Kart^v au, 

M ic Peiiusy vany haist, 

"Wadist do net alles shay un guth, 

Un butt net yeder g'sundes Blut ! 

' S biets kay Land der Welt. 

Ua net allainich utTdcr Erd 

Wachst alles shay und guth, 

An drunne gebbts so fiel ilir wollt, 

Koble, Eise — may werth ■wie gold, 

' S biets kay Land der Welt.' " 
There is a very interesting article in the 
Atlantic Monthly of October, 1S68, entitled 
" Pennsylvania Dutch," page473, i-c, which 
is worthy of perusal. 

The ancient and beautiful Christian prac- 
tice of holding Love-fmrta as a religious 
ceremonial, has been continued in the Breth- 
ren's Church from the earliest days of Mo- 
ravianism. Lnxsc-fcmfs, and the Kiss of Peace, 
were originally connected with the Holy 
Communion. Saint Chrysostom says, " Upon 
certain days, after partaking of the Lord's 
Supper, they met at a common table, the 
rich bringing provisions, and the poor who 
had nothing, being invited." The same 
spirit that actuated the early Christians, 
still animates the Brethren of the Moravian 
Church. All the members of the congrega- 
tion are invited to the Love-feasts, of the 
different choirs or classes, and the expenses 
are defrayed by a general collection taken 



IIG 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



up after the service, to which all contribute 
who are able, that feel inclined. Formerly, 
after a Love-feast, a collector called at each 
house, asked how man}' had been to service, 
and collected the amount due, so much be- 
ing charged for each. Now, tlie collection 
is made at the door, where the "church 
servants" are stationed, with small baskets 
in which such as choose, drop their offerings. 
AVhatever balance remains unpaid the con- 
gregation fund is taxed to make it up. 

In the case of the "Single Brethren" and 
" Single Sisters'" Love-feasts, at their festi- 
vals, they invite whom they choose, and pay 
their own expenses, so much for general ex- 
penses, and so much for each invited guest. 
The stated times for holding these Love- 
feasts, are upon festive occasions, which occur 
annually; the different choirs celebrating 
their own festivals, and inviting the rest of 
the congregation. These Festivals, Prayer- 
days or Love-feasts, are held in commemo- 
ration of revivals, or some other interesting 
events in the early history of the Brethrens' 
Church. The refreshments furnished on 
these joyous occasions, consists of jMoravian 
iugar bunns, and coffee only. 

The appointed days for the annual Love- 
feasts of each of the different choirs of the 
Jloravian Church, are as follows : 

April 30th, for the Widows. 

May 4th, for the Single Sisters. 

June llh, fur the Older Girls. 

Jnly nth, for the Older Boys. 

August ITth, for the Children. 

August 29th, for the Single Brethren. 

August 31st, for the 'Widowers, 

Septemher 7th, for the Married People (Parents.) 

The widows and widowers are generally 
associated with the choir of the married peo- 
ple and parents. 

These festivals are always celebrated on 
Sunday, and in the church. The services 
commencing at 2 o'clock P. M., and lasting 
about half an hour. If the anniversary does 
not fall on a Sunday, the succeeding Sabbath 
is the day on which the festival is held. 

On the d.ays of the celebration of the mar- 
ried people's festivals, that choir hold a pri- 



vate meeting, at 9 o'clock, A. M., in the 
church, at which there is generally an ad- 
dress by the minister, suitable to the occas- 
ion, and to the condition of those present; 
concluding with prayer and singing. 

In the Episcopal Watchman, volume I, page 
143, of the year 1S,21 , is published a sketch 
entitled, 

"A MOHATIAX LOVE FEAST .'• 
'* The following is an accountofone of those 
feasts at Bethlehem, Pa., at 7 o'clock on Sun- 
day morning, five musicians announced the 
day of the feast from the church steeple, by 
a solemn air on the trumpets and trombones," 
thi'ee airs are always played. " The ordinary 
Sabbath exercises were performed in the 
morning, and at 2 o'clock a large assem- 
blage was collected for the festival. The 
church is large, containing several apart- 
ments besides the room for worship, having 
a lofty ceiling, and large windows hung with 
white curtains. One half of the church was 
occupied by the female j^art of the congrega- 
tion, including more than 120 scholars of the 
boarding school; in white dresses and caps, 
trimmed uniform, the sisters' and tcidotrs. 
" The other division of the church w.as oc- 
cupied by the males, among whom were a 
number of school boys, arranged according 
to size. So large a collection, orderly seated 
on benches, and preserving an entire still- 
ness, had an imposing appearance. • 

" During the performance of the choir, in 
which the organ was accompanied by violins 
and trumpets; six women and four men en- 
tered the church, each couple hearing a bas- 
ket of soft cakes, which they distributed to 
the whole congregation, co.mmencing with 
the clergymen, when these were served, the 
same persons brought in coffee in white 
mugs, on wooden trays; which were distri- 
buted in the same manner, and of which all 
present partook; during the continuance of 
the services, which consisted entirely of sing- 
ing by the choir, the officiating clergyman, 
the females, the children and the congrega- 
tion, alternately in chorus, excepting two 
hymns, the words were German, as was all 
the music. 



BETnLEHEM, PEMNS'/IiVANIA. 



117 



" Singular as the description of such a 
ceremony appears, it was conducted with so 
much solemnity and propriety, that no other 
appropriate feeling could be excited. Typi- 
cal of that fellowship which is the bond of 
the Moravians, and from which they derive 
their appellation of Uiuias Fratnim. This 
occasional festival is an opposite emblem of 
the social love which has received the beauti- 
ful ecomium of David, ' Behold how good 
and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell to- 
gether in unity ; it is like the precious oint- 



ment upon Aaron's beard, which flowed to 
the skirts of his garments : like the dew o f 
Hermon, and like the dew which descended 
upon the mountains of Zionj for them the 
lord commanded the blessing, even life for- 
evermore.' " 

For a more proper understanding of the 
exercises and manner of conducting a Love- 
feast, a copy of the Fest Psalm sung at the 
Single Sisters' Festival in the Moravian 
Church at Bethlehem Pa., in the year A. D., 
1870, is here inserted. 



ODE 

FOR THG 



lij^liral of i\n Sintj^ fisliir^, 



IN BETHLEHEM. 



2 tturgug. 

£) Stjcr beg §ei-rn, crmuntrc ^ic^ 
3u frozen 5?obi)c|augen ! 

©cifte* 

^reif beinen §cilaub inniglid} 
2}Jit iiiBcu orcubcnflangcit, 
2)a iir bid) abcnnnl ciii d'cft 
3ii ©einem gtieben fcicnt lap. 



Wd. 90. 



Sisters. 

Head of Thy congregation, 

Kind Shepherd, gracious Lord I 
Look on us with compassion, 

Met here with one accord : 
Accept our thanks and praises 

For all Thy love and care, 
Which we in various cases 

Eepeatcdly did share. 



T. 151 G. 



118 nisToniCAL sketch of 

G I) c r. 

grciicii mtb fi-o:).i:f) miiffni fciii in Dtr, bic iiacf) Dir fragcn, nub 
bie 3)ein $eil licben, miiffcn iinmcv fagcit : §ocf)gdol)t fei O^ott : O 
iucr mir immcr bet Tag unb 'Jfadjt Xitin jit gciiu-Bcii i'ed)t roiir' be= 
bad)t, bcr ^att' o()ue tSnbe Don (iHiicf ju fagen, uiib iOeifa unb Sccle 
niujjt' immcr fragcn: "-bin ift inie Vn? 

Sisters. T. 5G. 

Nought but blessings :1|: lie for us intends, 

And His mei-cy :1|: never, never ends; 

Let us look unto the cross, 

Where He died to ransom us, 

On that offering :||: tiiith alone depends. 

Guests. T. IG. 

Happy is the virgin's station 

Whom he kindly owns as his. 
And who counts his great salvation 

As her highest good and bliss. 

Happy who thus find in Jesus 

AH their wishes satisfied; 
Ah, to them bow dear and jirecious 

Is that friend who for us died. 

Choir. 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth. Full are 
the heavens ofThy glory. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and 
all that is within me praise His Holy name, Hallelujah ! 
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; 
praise the Lord, and bless His holy name ! Ilosanna in the 
highest 1 

©flfte, mi. 14L 

fvrtcbc tl)au' Poii Obcn 
<£clig(5 (il)or, ouf Did)! 

i'icbeii, banfcn, lobcii, 
Stitt unb iungfriiulid) 

3unu uov 3t)m erid)cincn, 
Uutci- Scincm S'u^, 

Siinbcrjdiaamrot^ lucincu — 
©ci J^ein gcftgcuiijj ! 

Sisters. T. 1G8. 

LTnto Thee, most faithful Saviour, 
We ourselves anew commend ; 

O look down on us with favor. 
To our prayers and wants attend ; 



BETHLEIIl^M, PENNSYLVANIA. 119 

Grant us all a tender feeling, 

Of tliy love and gracious dealing, 

That our hearts may truly be 

Fill'd with fervent love to Thee. 

a«cl. 22. 

?Id) jicf)' in iinfre .Picqcn etn, 
Hub lajj fie Deinc iBol)niiug fein ; 
SJiiiim <Zt:[ unb ?eib ju 3)eiiien @nab'n, 
a3cn)o^rc fie uor atlent Sd)ab'ii I 

G« ifl cin foftlid) 1)ing, bafe baS .'pcrj fcft mevbe, >DcId)e« gcfrfjtc^t 
burc^ @nabe. 

^'/.y/*?/-.?. T. 585. 

Though unseen we love the Saviour, 

lie almighty grace hath shown, 
Pardoned guilt, and purchased favor; 

Ilence, through mercy, we're His own. 
Give Him glory :||: 
Grace and glory are His own ! 

2Kel. 119. 

?ful)r' unS biirrf), :|1: 

giit)i-' un«, ipGrr ! buvcf)'« X()vauent()at, 

!I^eiiicv .SpcnUd)fcit entgciicii, 
3n ben fd)bncn Jyveubcnfaal ! 

§ilf bci unfcrm UnDcvmiJgcn, 
®ib ,5um Xrcii=fcin ^'raft, jum ili?Qd)cn 9Jiutf), 

©aim Qd)i'i gut. :|!: 

A//. T. 246. 

Blessing and power and majesty 
Through endless ages bo to Thee, 
"Who us by blood hast bought, 
In mercy sought, 
And to Thy fold us brought. 

Amen, Hallelujah ! 

Hallelujah I 
Amen, Hallelujah ! 

18-' 



120 



HISTOllICAL SKETCH OF 



One of the most interesting of these oc- 
casions, is when, during the evening of the 
uay of the celebration of the children's festi- 
val, they are all assembled in the open air in 
front of the church at Bethlehem, and sing, 
to the accompaniment of the trombone choir, 
their Fest Psalm. Nothing can be more in- 
teresting, nor more pleasing; the eweet 
sounds of the voices of the little ones, the 
solemn tones of the trombones, breaking 
upon the air of a still quiet evening; the 
scene lit up by the torches of the choir, the 
streets and side walks crowded by the peo- 
jile, friends, parents and relatives of the 
children, vpho join in the singing, as the 
minister gives out the hymns line by line. 
Formerly the front of the church was on 
these occasions hung and lit up with colored 
lamps, much increasing the beauty and in- 
terest of the scene. 

On the last occasion at which the lanterns 
were used at the celebration (outside) of the 
children's festival, a stranger at Bethlehem, 
no doubt pleased with the scene, wrote a 
sketch of it, entitling his effusion, " The 
Feast of the Ijanterns." The Moravian 
minister in charge of the Bethlehem con- 
gregation at the time, became thereupon 
dreadfully alarmed for fear the world would 
think that the Brethren worshiped the lan- 
(erns, so they were abolished; and iheir use 
has never been resumed since. 

The lanterns used at the illumination, 
were made of tissue paper, red, white, blue 
and yellow, pasted over a wire frame, and a 
lighted caudle placed in each, and these 
suspended from a long wire drawn from 
tree to tree in front of the church ; the effect 
was very fine, a mellow light was cast upon 
the crowd of spectators, upon the neighbor- 
ing houses, the street, and open square, and 
glimmered among the trees, while the chorus 
of childish voices, and the peculiar tones of 
the trombones filled the air, sounds, which 
once heard, are never forgotten, but linger 
still on the ear — in memory. From the 
Moravian of August 25th, 1870, I insert a 
description of the children's festival at 
Nazareth, Pennsylvania. 



"A Liturgical Service is t:ie Moravian 
Cemetery at Nazaretu.— On Sunday even- 
ing, 21st inst., a novel and beautiful sight 
was presented to the spectator, standing out- 
side of the southern gate ivay of the Mora- 
vian Cemetery. I do not allude to the ex- 
tensive view of the lovely landscape from 
the top of this hill, but to another and most 
lovely spectacle, which was exhibited this 
evening on looking down in the direction of 
the Moravian Church. In front of the church 
a large number of children, and the pupils 
of the Sunday school, accompanied by their 
teachers and many members of the congre- 
gation had assembled, who formed into a 
procession, which ascended the hill to the 
cemetery, the children going before, and 
singing several sweet songs of Zion. This 
day had been set apart for the celebration of 
the "children's festival." All their special 
services, including a Love-feast, had been 
held in the church. But the evening service 
was appointed to take place in the cemetery, 
as had been donft last year. Punctually at 
6 P. M., the procession started from the 
church, after singing a hymn of praise. 
Upon entering into the cemetery, the choir 
played a soul-stirring choral. The small 
army of children having taken their position 
in the avenue of evergreens, flanked on both 
sides by the brethren and sisters of the con- 
gregation, the service of God was opened Ly 
the singing of the verse: Gott istgegenwnerlii/." 
(God reveals his presence,) and, truly, the 
congregation sang with unction and deeply 
feeling the presence of the Lord on this sol- 
emu occasion, and standing around the 
graves ofour sainted dead. A very appropri- 
ate air was then sung by the choir, accom- 
panied by instrumental music, whereupon 
the pastor invoked the throne of grace and 
made a brief address. The congregation 
were then requested, by singing several 
verses, to commend our dear children to 
their great and best Friend and Saviour. 
This impressive liturgical service was closed 
by the chanting of the Benediction on the 
part of the whole congregation. When re- 
turning from this sacred spot, our children 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



121 



sang with cheerful voioes and hapjiy hearts ; 
' Lord, dismiss us with blessing,' ttc., and 
' f?iug Hallelujah, praise the Lord,' Ac." 

It is customary on the Sunday immmedi- 
ately before Christman of each year, to have 
a Love-feast for all persons engaged in any 
capacity in serving the Church, This festi- 
val is however, somewhat different in its 
character from the festivals of the different 
choirs or classes of the church members ; as 
a portion of the time is passed in social con- 
versation, touching matters pertaining to 
their several duties, the changes to be made, 
and a general discussion of church affairs 
■within their sphere, and improvements to be 
made therein. This makes the occasion one 
of the most interesting kind to all those who 
take any interestinthe welfare of the Church. 
li must be distinctly understood, however, 
that the Moravian Brethren who do occas- 
ional duty in the Church, like that to bo 
presently mentioned, do not ask, or receive 
any pay for their services, any more than 
the knowledge, and the hope, that Ihcy are 
performing an acceptable service to their 
Brethren and their God. 

It was at tlie close of such a Love-feast 
immediately before Christmas, in December, 
ISGS, that the following changes were made 
in the "church servants." Brothers Ruben 
0. Luckenback, Christian Belling, Herman 
Yost, and Edmund Peisert, having served 
frcra twelve to eighteen years in the Churcli, 
asked to be relieved from their positions of 
" Saal Diener's." So Brothers Cornelius AV. 
Krause, Orlanda B. Desh, Ashton C. Bor- 
heck, and Sidney S. Schneller, were named 
to take their places. Those gentlemen per- 
form the duties of ushers, that are in other 
churches fjlled by paid and obsequious sex- 
tons, in list slippers; may they long live to 
fill their positions acceptably, and to do hum- 
bly their duty in their Master's house. 

There are eight " Saal Dieners" or chapel 
servants in the Moravian Church at Bethle- 
hem ; four of the number did not ask to be 
retired from duty, namely. Brothers John C. 
■Weber, William Leibert,Benjamin F. Schnel- 
ler, and Isaac Walp. These gentlemen choose 



their new associates in their self-imposed, 
and meritorious labors; and the newly ap- 
pointed Brethren entered into the duties of 
their ofBce in January, 1S69. 

Among the Moravians of Bethlehem, there 
is still retained many of the ancient customs 
and usages of the Church, and of the people 
from whom they are descended. Man}- of 
these customs are simple, child-like and 
charming, making life more sweet and 
pleasant, and reminding us every day, whilst 
we are among them, that men and women 
are but children of a larger growth. It is 
this charming simplicity of character that 
renders life in Bethlehem so pleasing. With 
Americans, life is real, life is earnest; and wc 
are too apt to forget in the social circle at 
home, those little tender, loving kindnesses, 
and gentle attentions, that are so dear and 
so acceptable to those we love. 

Numbered among the many surprises that 
add to the enjoyment of the Christmas holi- 
days at Bethlehem, there is one that carries 
with it pleasure both to the young and old ; 
for be it known, that the Moravians observe 
the Christmas holidays with peculiar zest, 
and great are the preparations for the enjoy- 
ment thereof. In our principal Moravian 
settlements, the Christmas festival lasts a 
week, or rather eight days, from Christmas 
day to New Year's day, included. It is a 
season of free, joyous, social intercourse, such 
as no other denomination of Christian jioo- 
ple attempts. And one of the great essential 
features of every well regulated Moravian 
household, is the Christmas Piifz, 

All Christendom has adopted the Chrlnlmaa 
7*/ t'c, but the Moravians have brought with 
them from the Fatherland, a charming im- 
provement, denominated " a Putz," which in 
the German means an embellishment, or an 
ornament, but in Bethlehem parlance, a 
large Christmas decoration. It is generally 
a miniature representation of some loved or 
beautiful scene in nature, an entire indoor 
landscape. Some of these mimic scenes 
are of the most pleasing character, dis- 
playing great artistic taste and talent. A 
varied scenery of mountain and val!cy, a 



122 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



tumbling water-fall, near which is often a 
mill, with its great wheel in rapid motion, 
Bometimea a quiet lake, with living fish, a 
distant "village, with its ancient church, 
whose tall spire is reflected in a peaceful 
stream flowing near, a!l forming a quiet 
summer scene; oft again, one with the 
snow clad mantle of winter; then again a 
night scene in the dear old Fatherland, 
lighted up by a mimic moon. These are 
represented with a faithfulness of detail, and 
a genuine skill of arrangement, that excites 
our admiration, as much, if not mere than 
a beautiful picture, giving frequently a plea- 
sure that can be exceeded only by some 
charming scene in nature. 

Behind the bar of the Eagle tavern, at 
Bethlehem, in the common room, there has 
been a large ajjerture made in the wall of the 
house, ten feet long, by four feet high, open- 
ing into a room built outside of the house, 
about ten feet square, covered over with a 
glass roof, as in hot-houses. In this room, 
William W. Yohe, son of mine ancient 
host, Caleb, erects each fall a FnU; some 
miniature winter scene. In the spring he 
replaces this by a summer view, sometimes 
imaginary, oft times real. On one occasion 
he made a view of a town in Western Vir- 
ginia, the scene of one of the earliest battles 
of the late Rebellion, which a Union refugee 
at once recognized as the home he had just 
fled from. Mr. Yohe is quite celebrated in 
Bethlehem as a Putz builder, of much good 
taste. 

In the 3Ioravian of Christmas week, 1867, 
a writer thus refers to " an old time Ptitz." 

" IIow far back they date we are not pre- 
pared to say. They were in the full tide of 
their glory when we were a boy, twenty-five 
years ago, when we weresufliciently advanc- 
ed to lend a helping hand, and then the great 
/"iifz-makers were men well advanced in 
years, so that it is fair to presume that Puiz 
making is amongst the ancient institutions 
of this venerable town. The tasce and in- 
genuity displayed in these decorations was 
often very considerable. We use the word 
' decoration' for the want of a better, though 



it does not convey a correct idea of the Pu!Zf 
which is not a festooning of the rooms wiA 
garlands and wreaths, but a miniature repre- 
sentation of some scene in nature, imaginary 
or real. As we have said, the art displayed 
in these mimic scenes was frequently very 
creditable. Mountains and valleys, tumbling 
waterfalls and peaceful fields, lakes and 
villages, in the bright green of summer, or 
the delicate snow covering of winter, were 
represented with a faithful minuteness of 
detail, and in really artistic groupings. 
Many evenings, until late in the night, were 
devoted to the making of them. Who wi;i 
say that it was labor thrown away? Xov.- 
a-days we fear, you could scarcely gather 
together a dozen men who would be willing 
to devote themselves to the preparation of 
one of these grand Pntzes of the olden time, 
just because they loved to do this sort of thing, 
and the time is now to them so precious a 
thing for business, that they cannot spare it 
for the purpose of pure and innocent amuse- 
ment. Are we any the happier or better now? 
are boys any more frank and innocent, or 
the girls any more loveable and modest than 
they were then? When, even on a Christmas 
Eve, the great Pii/i-seeing evening, they 
came home at nine o'clock, and were thank- 
ful for the privilege of being allowed to go, 
and to be an hour later than usual, 

" Besides these Pntzes which were made on 
a grand scale, there were smaller ones in 
abundance; the humblest home having its 
little table, covered with a white cloth, and 
backed by branches of evergreens, from 
which were suspended glittering stars, wax 
angels, bright colored candies, ic, in pretty 
confusion, illuminated by many burning 
candles. Who, that ever saw or played at 
them, will forget those bright Christmas 
scenes? The cave from which issued the 
monster bear or lion, the looking-glass lake, 
on which ducks and geese of various sizes 
sat in motionless propriety, the silver-sanded 
road, on which was ranged the contents of 
a Noah's Ark, with the patriarch and his 
family walking first, and the animals fol- 
lowing two by two in solemn procession ; 
the little village with its church and rows of 



BETirLEKEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



123 



etiff poplar trees; the pleasant minglings of 
bird and beast and fish, all in perfect peace 
with one another, as became them at Christ- 
mas time; the stable where the 'blessed 
child' was born; the mill hoisting up its 
bags and letting them down again, as long 
as the hidden machinery remained in work- 
ing order, whilst the miller smoked his pipe, 
and his dog kept up a very energetic, if 
somewhat methodical jumping at his feet; 
all these, and a thousand other recollections^ 
rise before the memory, and force us to the 
conclusion that Piitzes are a great institution, 
and ought not to be allowed to die out. And 
there are other memories associated with 
them, some of which are of too sentimental 
a character to be mentioned. The e,xpedi«- 
tions in search of moss, the pleasant prepara- 
tion for the great Ptttz, the mysterious dark- 
ened and carefully locked up room, the anx- 
ious suspense, the joyous surprise, the happy 
hearts and smiling faces, the sweet inter- 
change of precious presents between the 
juveniles, not of the same family or sex, the 
fortunate and often repeated meetings whilst 
going the rounds of visiting the many Ptttzea, 
which it was necessary to see. "We wonder 
whether the young ones enjoy Christmas as 
thoroughly and innocently as they used to 
do when Bethlehem was only a little village, 
and the outer world was quite shut out." 

The lament of our friend is uncalled for, 
there has been a revival in Putzes since he 
wrote, and the young still enjoy them, es- 
pecially the lovers, as much as they did in 
the good old times of which he writes. 
And if my readers want to have some happy 
hours, just let them go and pass the Christ- 
mas holidays at Bethlehem once. 

There is one institution in Bethlehem 
which is deserving of more than a mere 
passing notice. That is the "Young Men's 
Misssionary Society." The first stated meet- 
ing of the society was held September T, 
1S40, in the old Moravian school house, and 
the following offioera elected. President, 
David Zeisberger Smith, the founder and 
originator of the society. "Vice President, 
Henry J. Van Vleck. Eecording Secretary, 



Augustus "Wolle. Treasurer, 'K'illiam "War- 
ner. Directors, A. A. Eeinke, E. H. Eeichel 
and Albert Butner. Soon afterwards. Dr. 
Maurice C. Jones was made Correspondincr 
Secretary. 

The following is the list of the original 
signers to the first constitution. 



Da via Z. Smith, 
George W. Perk in, 
"William II. "Warner, 
Amudeus A. Reiuke, 
Albert Eutner, 
Andrew G. Kem, 
Edward II. Il'eicliel, 
Ileury J. Van Vleck, 
George A. "Weiss, 
Augustus "Wolle, 
Simou Il.'iu, 
Joseph II. Kummer, 
J. Kdward Luckenbach, 
Reuben 0. Luckenbach, 
Francis "W. Knauss, 



L. 0. Tombler, 
Christian II. Belling, 
Francis D. Schneller, 
"Wm. F. Rauch, 
Owen J. Rice, 
Mortimer "Warner, 
Wm. L. Erowu, 
Maurice C. Jones, 
"Wm. S. "Weinland, ' 
Samuel P. Geehr, 
Levin J. Krause, 
Benj. r. Schneller, 
Charles Schneller, 
Reuben Clewell, 
Alfred Ricksecker, 



Edward C. Peisert. 

Meetings are held every month; and the 
reading of mission reports was made the cus- 
tom for several years, but has of late years 
been abandoned. On the 24th of January, 
lS41,the first annual meeting of the society 
was held, and an address delivered by Ed- 
ward n. Eeichel. Annual meetings have 
been held ever since that time, and the so- 
ciety still continues in successful operation. 

In 1S41, the project of forming a Museum 
as a source of income to the society, was first 
proposed, and at once adopted. In 1843, a 
liberal gift of books from Miss Mary Allen, 
formed the nucleus of the library. The as- 
sociation continued to hold their meetings 
in the old town school building till 1S5S, 
when, through the kindness of the Moravian 
school-board, a large, convenient room in 
the new school house was assigned to the 
society, and suitably furnished as a reading 
room, library and museum, and the first 
meeting held therein on the 17th of A[iril of 
that year. 

The constitution of the society, which had 
been remodelled in 1842, with the motto, 
" And above all things put on charity, which 
is the bond of perfection." — Colossians, iii, 
14 ; was altered, and an entire new constitu- 



124 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



tion adopted ; the objects of the society being 
stated to be " The furtherance of the Foreign 
Jlissions of the United Brethren among the 
Heathen, and the Religious, Literarj' and 
Social Improvement of Young Men." 

In the -n-intcr of 1858-59, the practice of 
having a course of lectures given by popular 
speakers before the society and its friends 
was first inaugurated. These lectures were 
delivered before numerous audiences in the 
Citizen's Hall, and the number of members 
increased to one hundred. 

In 1S62, the society removed to the build- 
ing now occupied by Dr. Jacobson, for his 
office, in Market Street. And afterwards to 
Broad Street near Main, and finally in 18GS, 
to the building in Main Street near the Mo- 
ravian Church, erected by the society in 
conjunction with the Young Men's Christian 
Association of Bethlehem." This building 
is three stories in height, the first floor being 
occupied by the publication office of the 
Moravian Church. In the rear of the store 
is the Museum of the Missionary Society, 
very tastefully arranged, consisting of many 
curiosities from different parts of the world, 
the presents of the Moravian missionaries, 
and numerous ancient relics of the first set- 
tlement of the town, added to which is the 
fine large picture of Zeisberger preaching to 
the Indians, painted by Schusscle. 

In a note to page 232, in the History of 
Lehigh Valley, there is a pleasant descrip- 
tion of the contents of the Museum, in which 
it is said, " Several of these curiosities de- 
serve special mention. The old ' Sundial,' 
the 'old Cannon,' and the 'old Spinnet or 
Piano.'" To this list might be added the 
"old Cradle" and the " old Chairs," like 
those used an hundred years ago in the town, 
and still in use in Germany, and sometimes 
seen in German paintings. The collection 
contains many rare and curious things. The 
second story is occujiied for the purposes of 
the Library, which is free to all who desire 
to avail themselves of its privileges, except 
the taking out of books for reading at their 
houses ; that right is confined to members of 
the two societies. The Library is under the 



direction of the Christian Association, by an 
arrangement made between the two corpora- 
tions. The third story is fitted up for, and 
used as a lecture room, in which the societies 
hold their meetings. 

The thirtieth anniversary meeting of the 
Young Men's Missionary Society of the 
Bethlehem congregation, was held on Sun- 
day evening, January SO, 1870. The Mora- 
vian report states that : 

" The annual report was read by the retir- 
ing president. Brother A. J. Harwi. The total 
membership of the Society is 315. Monthly 
meetings are held, the interest of which dur- 
ing the past year was considerably increased 
by short addresses by different brethren on 
the history or present condition of the mis- 
sions of our church. The direct donations 
of the society were made to the congregation 
at Estridge, St. Kitts, and the Missionary 
Home, Kleiuwelke, Saxony. The officers of 
the Society fur the ensuing year are, Presi- 
dent, Eugene 'Weber ; Vice President, Edwin 
Bishop ; Secretary, Aug. Leibert ; Treasurer, 
Aug. Bishop. The anniversary address was 
delivered by Bro. \Vm. Vogler, of the Theo- 
logical Seminary. May his earnest words 
find a response in the hearts of all the mem- 
bers of the Society." 

The ceremonies attending the laying the 
corner-stone of the building of the Mission- 
ary Society and Christian Association, were 
performed on August 26th, 1SC7, and it was 
finished and occupied during the next year. 
The exercises were began by singing a hymn, 
followed by a prayer by the Rev. A. A. 
Reiuikc, a lesson from the Scriptures were 
read by the Rev. Mr. Kemble, and an ad- 
dress delivered by Henry J. Seamen, presi- 
dent of the Christian Association; after 
which, another hymn was sung. A list of 
tlic contents of box deposited in the corner- 
stone, was read, then followed a hymn, sung 
by the congregation, who were dismissed 
with a benediction by the Right Rev. Bishop 
Jacobson. 

The following members of the Missionary 
Society were killed, or died in (he service of 
their country during the late rebellion. 



B i; T n L E II i: M, p i: x n s y L v a n i a. 



.:> 



Sauitel Bean, of Quakertown, private in 

company C, 120th regiment Penu. Vols., 

killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, 

Dec. 13, 1SC3. 
Joseph L. Clewell, of Sehoneek, company 

F, 132nd regiment Pcuna. Vols., killed at 

Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
Edwin Pfluegcr, of Seidersville, private in 

2nd regiment Penna. Heavy Artillerj', 

Col. Augustus A. Gibson, commanding. 

Wounded at Petersburg, May, 1S64; died 

of his wounds. 
Clauexce Kampman, clerk to Admiral Leo, 

U. S. Navy; died June 4, 1SG9, on board 

IT. S. Hospital Ship " Eed Rover." 
John C. IIagan, private in 2nd regiment 

Penna. Cavalry; died August 7, 1865, at 

Bethlehem, of the Camp Fever, contracted 

in the service. 
Aktbue Van Vleck, company C, 12Gth Ohio. 

Taken prisoner at Culpejiper, October, 14, 

1863. Died iu Libby Prison December 21, 

1803. 

On the 21st of Ajiril, 1SC4, on application 
of the members of the Young Men's Mission- 
ary Society of Bethlehem, the said associa- 
tion was duly incorporated by the Court of 
Common Pleas of Northampton County, Pa. 
The petition was signed by Joseph A. Rice, 
Bertine S. Erwin, Joseph II. Treager, 'Wil- 
liam A. Erwin, Herman A. Doster, Robert 
Rau, Geo. H. Luckenback, T. M. Rights and 
J. Albert Rondthaler. 

The following is a list of presiding officers 
of the Young Men's Missionary Society, 
since its organization. 



lS4a-41— Presidunt, 

1S4M3— " 

1S42-43— " 

iS4a-ii— " 

1844-45— " 

1345-16— " 

1S40-47— " 

1847-48— " 

lS4S-ia— « 

1849-60— " 

1850.61— " 

1851-52— " 

1862 53— " 

1863-54— « 

1854-55— " 



David Z. Smit'j. 
Simon Rau. 
Owen J. Kice. 
Owen J. Rice. 
Owen J. nice. 
Owen J. Rice, 
n. F. Sohneller. 
Fiiincia WoUe. 
Francis WoUe. 
R. A. Grlder. 
R. A. Grider. 
L. R. Huebener. 
K. P. Krauee. 
R. P. Krause. 
J. Burilge. 



1855-56— President, 

1856-67- " 

1S67 68— " 

1S68-69— " - 

1859-60— " 
1800-61- 

1801-62— " 

1862-63— " 

18C3-04— " 

1S04-65— " 

1865-66- " 

1866-67- " 

1867-68— " 

1S6S-69— « 

1869-70- " 

1870-71— " 



A. J. Erwin. 
A. J. Erwin. 
A. J. Erwin. 
Joseph M. Leibert. 
Joseph M. Lciber*. 
Edward Rondtlialor. 
Herman A. Doster. 
Abraham S. Schropp. 
Joseph A. Rice. 
Joseph A. Rice. 
W. J. noli ind. 
Henry T. Clander. 
Henry J. Seaman. 
Alfred J. Harwi. 
Alfred J. Harwi. 
Eugene E. Weber. 



The speakers at the Anniversary meetings 
of the association were : — 
January 24th, 1841...Edward H. Reicliel. 

" 9th, 1S42...A. A. Reinlie. 

" 8th, 1843... Ed. A. De Schwcinilz. 

" 14th, lS44...Edwin E. Reinke. 
2Cth, 1846. ..E. H. Reichel. 

" 25tli, 1846...Franci3 Wolle. 

" 17th, lS47...BernhardDeSchweinitz. 

" 30th, 1848...Max Goepp. 

« nth, lS49...Lewi8 R. Huebener. 

" 13th, 1S50... Lewis R. Huebener. 

" 18tb, lS61...Bishop Van TIeck. 

" 18th, lS52...Parmenio Leinbacli, 

" 23rd, 1863... L. F. Kampman. 

« 2Sth, 1854...Clement L. Reinke. 

" 28th, lS65...Eugene Leibert. 

" — th,lS50... . 

" llth, 1867...Clement L. Reinke. 

" 10th, 1858... Eugene Leibert. 

" 16th, 1869. ..Herman A. Brickenetein. 

" 15th, 1860...William Bigler. 

" 20tli, 1861... Samuel Reinke. 

" l:th,1862...W. Henry Rice. 

" 26th, 1S03...J. Tlieophilus Zorn. 

" 17th, lS64...Edward Rondthaler. 

" 29th, 1865...Ed. A. De Schweinitz. 

" — th, 1866...J. Albert Rondthaler. 

" — th, 1807...i;dw.Eondthaler. 

" — th, 186S...Eugene L. Schaefor. 

'• _th, 1869... Edw. Regennas. 

« — th, lS70...Wm. H. Vogler. 
To insert a list of the active members of 
the society would not be interesting to the 
general reader, so it is omitted, but a list is 
given of the 

LIFE MEMBERS. 

James Leibert, John Jordan, 

Mrs. Jane Jordan, W. H. Jordan, 



1-20 



II I S T n I C A L SKETCH OF 



Miss Helen Bell, 
Abm. S. Schropp, 
Jos. 11. Traegor, 
liev. Henry Van Vleck, 
Edw. Bell, 
Eev. Sylvester Wulle, 
Henry Coppee, L. L. B , 
Julin C. Schropp, 



Miss Sophia Henry, 
Jos. A. Rice, 
Ewing Jordan, 
Miss Emily Bell, 
Miss Laura Bell, 
BtTuhard E. Leliuiau, 
"Wm. Schropp, 
Col. Foreslcr. 



John Hill Martin, 
The society issued in 1SG5, an historical 
slietch, and an address by the Eev. Edward 
de Schweinitz, in a neat pamphlet, to which 
I am indebted for most of the foregoing in- 
formation, particularly the lists; to complete 
them, I add thatcontainiug the names of the 
ministers and missionaries who are members 
of the association. 



J'.ev. DuTid F. Smith, 

'' E. A. de Schweinitz, 

'■ B. E. de Schweinitz, 

'* George Weiss, 

•• Wm. H. Warner, 

" Edward Bond thaler, 

" E. H. Reichel, 

" A. A. Reinke, 

" Sylvester Wolle, 

•* Francis WoUe, 



Rev. E. 11. Leibert, 

'■ P. II. Leinbr.ch, 

" E. T. Kluge, 

*' Emanuel Roudtlialer, 

" C. L. RciDke, 

" A. E. Home, 

'' James Hiiman, 

'' P. Rommel, 

" Joseph Romig, 

" TV. Heury Rice, 



KcT. E. E. Reinke, 
" Wm. C. Reichel, 
" E. P. Greider, 
" Joseph H. Kummer, 
" n. J. Tan Vleck, 
*• L. F. Kanipman, 
" G. W. reikiu, 
'■ II. A. Erickensteiu, Mr. W. Spaugh. 
Mr. n. Ruede, 



Rev. Edmund Oetcr, 

" H. S. Bachmau, 

" S. B. Simes, 

" H. S. Hoffman, 

" Chas. B. Shnllz, 

" S. M. Smith, 

" Eiiw. Rondthaler, 



The " Young Men's Missionary Society 
and Christian Association,'* was organized 
February 6, ISGG, but by a resolution of Sep- 
tember 3, 1SC7, became two'distinct societies. 

At a monthly meeting of the Young Men's 
Christian A3sociation,held on Tuesday even- 
ing, September 13, 1S70. The following 
gentlemen were elected officers of the As- 
sociation to serve for the ensuing year; 
President, C. W. Krause; Vice Presidents, 
■ffm. C. Ferriday,C. H. Kidder, "W. R. Smith, 
G. V. Snyder, Michael Bitler, and II. T. 
Clauder ; Recording Secretary, Aug. II. Lei- 
bert; Corresponding Secretary, AVm. II. 
Vogler; Recording Secretary, Eugene A. 
Ran; Treasurer, Franklin C. Stout. 



15 E T II L E II E M, P E X N ? Y L V A N I A. 




CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIO^f AND NURSERY BUILDINGS — 1870. 

BETHLEHEW, PA. 



CHAPTER Sin. 
TnE Society foe Propagating the Gospel 

AMO.NG THE IIeATHEN. — STATISTICS OF THE 

UsiTr OF THE Brethres, January 1, 18C9. 
List or the Churches and Missions is the 
Northern Diccese of the Church op the 
United Erethren is America.— An Old 
Passport. — Christian Frederick Post. — 
Bister " Polly Hickewelder." — Rev. 
John Hickewelder, and bis 'Writings. — 
The Horsfield Papers. — History of 
Northampton County, from a Pamphlet. 
Official Seal op the Moravian Church, 
A correction.— Travels op the JIarqdis 
Bs Chastelluk in America, 17S0. — Chas. 
Thompson's theory op the Formation of 
THE Wind-Gap. — Curiosities. — The Old 
Iron Stove Plates. — Indian Corn Grin- 
der. — The Old Sun Dial. — Old Tiles. — 
Old Water Pipes. — The First Market 
House. — Old Grave Yard, south of the 



Lehigh. — Zixzendop.f's visit to Wyom;sc. 
— Formation of Northampton County. 

he illustration at the head of this 
chapter, which is coijied from one oi 
Kleckner's cabinet stereoscopic views of 
the Lehigh Valley, presents to the riglit 
hand, looking at the picture, a representa- 
tion of the southern portion of one of the oM 
.Economy buildings of the Moravian Society, 
which I have heretofore described as the 
"Old Nursery." It stood on the east side 
of Main Street, a short distance north of tl:e 
Moravian church, and has just been torn 
down to make room for the new publication 
office of the Moraviai» church, a splendid 
large four-story structure, with a Mansard 
roof. The northern part of this old relic was 
demolished in 1S67, to make room for tlu 
building of the Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation of Bethlehem, a view of which is 



128 



HTSTOEICAL SKETCH OF 



also given in tlie cut. This latter building 
was erected in 1867-GS, at a cost of $16,500. 
It is 28 feet front by 70 feet deep, and three 
stories in height, built in the most substan- 
tial manner of brick with brown sandstone 
facings. On the first floor is the store and 
olUce of the Publication Society of the Mo- 
ravian church, and in the rear the Museum of 
the Young Men's Missionary Society. Onthe 
second floor the Library of the Christian As- 
sociation. And in the third-story a Lecture- 
ronin, ccipable of seating 400 people, and 
which is used by the two societies thaterected 
the building. 

Among the many societies formed by, and 
composed of Members of the Moravian 
church in America, none are more ancient 
or honorable, or more deserving of commen- 
dation, than the "Society for Propagating 
the Gospel among the Heathen," incorporated 
l)y Act of Assembly of the Representatives 
of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of February, 
}7S8. The first, second and fourth sections 
only, of said Act, are necessary to give a 
sketch of the purposes of the society; the 
others relate merely to the business opera- 
tions of the corporation, and its power to hold 
real estate, and receive bequests. 

S::c. 1st — TVIiereas, it bas been represented to this 
II..use, by llie ReT. John Ettwciu, one of thy Bi«hoij3 
uf the Church called Unitas Fratedm, or Uuitt-d 
rritlircn, and the Rev. John Meder, Pastor in Ordi- 
n:iry of the Baid Church in the City of Philadcliihia, 
tliat since the yearof our Lord, 17-1'), when said Church 
began to make settlementB in America, the princiiial 
aim of their members coming over from Europe, was, 
to carry the glorious truths of the Gospel to the 
Indians here; that they have without intermission 
continued their labors among the Indians, and not- 
withstanding the increase of expenses and othrr difli- 
cnlties, are resolved to pursue and support this com- 
mendable work, and for this purpose have formed a 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel nmrng the 
Heathen, and entered into certain ruk-s of association 
(a copy whereof they have subjoined to their Petition,) 
and prayed to iucorporate the said Society, 

And Whereas, The propagation of the Gospel among 
the Indians of America, is of great imi)ortance to the 
citizens of this and other of the United States, and may, 
by the blessings of God, be conducive- to the peace and 
security of the inhabitants and settlers of our frontiers. 



and by living examples of the Missionaries and tJ:e 
converts, the Savages may be induced to turn iln-lr 
minds to the Christian religion, industry, end buci-.i 
life with the citizens of the United Stales. 

And Whereas, This House fa disposed to exorcise 
the powers vested in the Legislature of llie Crmmuii- 
wealth, for the euconr g-'ment of all pious and charita- 
ble purposes. 

Sec. 2nd.— 5e it therefore enacted by the Eeprestntiz- 
tives of the Freemen of the ComTtwnweaUh of Penn- 
sylvania in General Assembly meJ, and by the avr 
thority of the same. That the Rlv. Jolm Ettwcin, 
Bishop; Frederick William Yon Mursh:dl, gontk-m-.n ; 
the Rev. Andrew Uut'baer and Paul Mucnster ; Uana 
Christian Ton Schweinitz, gentleman ; tlio Uev. David 
Zeisberger, Jr.; Jolin August Klingsohr; Jerenu;;h 
Denke ; Charles GoUholJ Reichel; Daniel Koehler; 
Christian Benzion and Godfrey Brezel, tfio present Di- 
rectors. The liev. Denhard Adam Grube; Frederick 
Peter, Sr. and Jacob A*an Vleck. the present Asjistr.nt 
Directors of the said Society. The Rev. John Ilcrbst; 
JohuMedcr; Fiancis Bodilor; James EirUby; Lewis 
Boehler and Abr.iham Reincke, and nthi-rs, the Miuis- 
tLTsin the different Brt-thren's Congregations, and thi ir 
Successors, and all other membL-rs of the said Society 
who have and sha 1 hereafter subscribe to the Rules of 
the faid Society, lie, and they are hereby madc.dLclarud 
and constituted, to be a corporation and body politic 
in I.iw and in lact, to have continuance forever, by llio 
name, style, and title of ''The Society of the United 
Brethren for Propagating the Gospel umong tJie 
Ileathen,*' 

The third section empowers the society to 
hold real estate by purchase, gift or devise, 
and to receive bequests of all kinds of per- 
sonal properly. 

Sec. 4tli. — And he it further enact :d hy the authori'fy 
aforesaid. That all donations and contributions, rents, 
interests and profits, arising from the real and personal 
estate of the aforesaid Corporation, shall by the said 
Directors and their successors, from time to time bo 
applied and laid out for the maintenance and support 
of their Missionaries and other Assistants; for building 
and supporting places of public worship and schoob, 
providing books for the better educating, instructing 
and civilizing the children of the converts and others 
among the nations who shall be desirous to commit 
their youths to the care and in:itruction of the said 
Blissiouaries, and for such other pious and charitable 
uses as are conformable to the ti ue desigu and iuteut 
of the said Society. 

The fixed seat of the said Society is at 
Bethlehem, Pa., where the Board of Directors 
meet, and the stated general meetings are 
always held. 



I! E T 11 L K 11 i; :.:, i" i; .\ n s y i, v a n i a. 



129 



Article X, of the Stated Eules of the Society, 
says : 

''As we h.ave no other vit-w or aim but tlie fiirllit-T- 
niicc iiiiil [.rupagatiou of tho knowledge of JegnsCbrist 
iiinaii;^ tlie poor beuightcd heathen, and esteem it a 
high privilege to support that praiseworthy work to 
tlie best of our abilities, btuug constrained to it by tho 
Ijve of Christ. All tho Directors, Assistaut Director?, 
::nd CiUcors of the Society, renounce for ever all de- 
mands and claims for sahiries or compensation fur 
their set vices." 

The 8Ist Anniversary of the Incorporation 
of the Society -vvas held at Bethlehem, Pa., 
on tho 9th of September, A. D., ISliO, when 
tile following officers were clecteil for the 
ensuing year, viz : 
Sylvester WoUe, Prnhhi^t. 
Robert dc Schweinitz, 17ce Pivnideiil. 
Edwin G. IClose, Sfcrcttiri/. 
William II. Bigler, C'ln-n-ji'mdinj Srcrelari/. 
Ernst F. Eleck, Trca^tucr. 
Charles Augustus Luclccnback, Henry B. 

Luckenback, James T. Borhck, and John 

C. "Weber, Assistant Virectai-a. 
James II. \Vollc, Charles F. Beckel, and 

Simon Piau, Aiidiiors. 

r.cv. Sylvester AVoIIe, President of llie 
Society, conducted the introductory devo- 
tional exercises, Bro. E. F. Bleck acted as 
Secretary. The following members deceased 
during the past year, Thos. C. Lueders, of 
Indianapolis, Ind., George Thomas, Litiz, 
and Amos C. Claud^r, Bethlehem. A number 
of new members were elected. The report 
of the Board of Directors, containing a re- 
view of the condition of the Indian missions 
in Canada and Kanzas, was read by Ecv. L. 
F. Kamjimann. The receipts of the Society 
last year wore $11,659.04, of whicli amount 
$10,500 was forwarded to the Mission De- 
partment of the Unity's Elders' Conference. 
At the love-feast in the afternoon, as during 
the morning meeting of the Society, addresses 
on various subjects connected with the work 
of missions, were made by the Brn. Eobert 
and Emil de Schweinitz, A. A. Remke and 
Herman A. Brickenstein, late delegates to 
the General Synod. 

In the Jloravian of August 26, 1869, the 
following is given as a Roll of the Living 



ISiS. 



K-^Z. 



Members of the Society for Propagating the 
Gospel among the Heathen, with the date of 
their enrolment. 
ISIO. reterWoIle. 

1518. Peter Kicksecktr, Jehu C. Jacobson. ?amuil 

r,einke. 

1519. Jcdidiah Weiss. 

1S22. Charles C. Tombler, Charles F. rickcl, Henry 

Huebencr, William F. Giericg. 
1824. Geo. Henry Bute. 
1S25. Jolin M. Miksch, George W. Eixion, Chr. D. 

Busse, .Tohn Beck, Fred. Roraing. 
18J6. G. orgo n. Gonndie, Andrew G. Kern, Charles, F. 

Klnge, Abraham L. Iluebcner. 
John C. Brickenstein, Eugene A. rrueanfT, 

l:ln^l F. Eleck, David Biglei-, John J. Giering. 
Jacob F. Slgmund, Geo. F. Eiduisen, Henry J. 

Kluge. 
Jonas Meyers. 
lf,34. Charles B. Peter, Herman J. Titze, IVm. L. 

Lennert, Ambrose EoLdthalcr, Philip A. Cre- 

g::r. 
If.Co. Julius T. Eecklcr, Philip H. Goepp. 
ISGO. Ileury P. Luck nbach, JIatthcw Crist, Amoa 

Dealer. 
IHZI . JohnKrause, Pylvcster Wolle. 
1S38, J. Chr. Weber, Lmil A. do Schweinitz, Lewis F. 

Kampman. 

1540. James Henry, Wm. Theodore Roepper. 

1541. Simon P.au, Jos. H. Kummer, P.obt. do fchwriu. 

itz, John Regennas. Francis Wolle, Ferdinand 
Lennert, Abr. Lichtenthaeler, Timothy Mass- 
licli, Philip Cann, Jacob Stnrgis, Francis AV. 
Christ, George Grider, Ambrose H. Pauch, John 
Graeff, Ferdinand P.ickerl. 

1842. Chas. Aug. Luckenbach, F. F. Hagen, Edw. II 
Reiehel. 

1S43. r.enb -n 0. Luckenbach, Augustus WoUc, H. A. 
Shultz. 

1844. Samuel Tost, Benj. F. Rehneller, Samuel B. Clew- 
ell, C. Edw. Peisert, Oliver Tombler. 

18t5. Henry J. Van Vleck. 

ISIO. Edwin P. Wolle, Nath. S. Wolle, BenJ, Wilhelm. 

1S47. Jar.ies T. Rurhek, Edmund D. Sclnveiuilz. 

1813. William C. Reichcl. 

1849. Augustus Belling. JIaurice C. Jones. 

1860. William Pear, William Kreiter, Henry P.auch. 

1S51. Charles Stnrgis, Aug. Stnrgis. 

1852. A. A. Reinke, Charles W. Ranch, Herm. Ruede, 

Ales. Stnrgis, J. L. Eysenbach, Wm. N. 

Moench. 
1S53. James H. Wolle. 

1856. Eugene Leibert, Herman A. Brickenstein. 
1867. E. Linke, Benj. Ricksecker, H. C. Bachman, 

Eugene P. Oreider, Henry 0. Clander. 



130 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



1858. Willium Leibert. 

1559. J. Phil, Rummc-l, Lewis li. lluebner, 0. T. Uueb- 

niT. II. T. Bachman, 0\vi.-n Kice, James II;i- 
mau, Albert L. Oertcr, John Ceanick Harvt'y, 
V,'. II. Bigler, Ernst Salathe, Jacob Moerscli, 
Fifd. Berger, Fred. Andreae, ■\ViUiaiu SniyUi, 
F.-ed. AVilbelm, E. E. Ilcinke. 

1560. rdwurd Keller, r.icb. "NV. Leibert, Sanmel Weiu- 

liind. 

1561. Clem. L. Keinko, John F. FrucaufT, J. Ldw. 

Liickenhach, Wm. Ileury Bice. G. F. Oeliler. 

18G2. Jacob Luckenbach, Fred. R. Borbek, Jubu J. 
Bettercr, Gilbert Bishop. 

1803. Edw. T, Kluge, Lawrence J. Oerter, P. II. Gapp, 
Thomas D. Luckenbach. 

1S64. Richard Wolff, Chas. B. ShuUz, J. J. Crocnfeldt, 
"W. Herman Frupauff, Herman Yost. 

ISGJ. Ambrose J. Erwin, Allan Ilamilton, M. A. Erd- 
man. 

ISCG. Ilerman Doster, Edm. A. Oerter, L. P. Clowell, 
II. S. Hoffmann, F. II. Holland, J. C. Isratl, 
A. M. Iverson, F. W. Kuauss, J. G. Kaltcn- 
brunn. 

1SC7. JwliQ Praegcr, Isaac Prince, Joseph Romig, Ed- 
Ward Rondthaler, Henry Reusswig, Dav. Z. 
Smith, Stephen M Smith, G. F. Uecke, J. E. 
"Wuensche, Jno. M. Warman, Abr. S. Schropp, 
H. J. Seaman, Joseph Rice, David Ran, Cor- 
nelius W. Krause, Rud. F. Ranch, Cyrus Bre- 
der, Jos. U. Traeger, Oiville Grider, Edw. T. 
Jleyers, Robert Ran. Fred. A. Clauder, Henry 
T. Claudtr, Thood. F. Levers, Wm. A. Erwiu, 
Jgbn Schmid, James K. RauLh, Jacob Fulker- 
Bon, Adolph Cunradi, Herm. Jacobson. 

ISCS. Francis Jordan, Christion Ken, Charles Nngic, 
Joseph Ricksecker. 

1EC9. Gustavus Fenrig, Edwin G. Klose, William II. 
Jordan, Ludwig Scbeele, Haydn II. Tshudy, 
Uenry E. Weinland, Albert T. Doster, George 
W. Perkin, Alfred J. Harwi, Ashton C. Borliek, 
Augnstus 11. Leibert, Robert Poysert, Theodoic 
Fradeneck, John Simuid Krause. 
The statistics of the Unify of the Brethren, 

January 1, 1SC9. 

Provinces. Communicants. Total. 

German, 4,895 7,270 

British, 3,280 b,US 

American 

North, 5,SG0 

South,' 1,0SS fi,7G8 11,885 



14,871 24,573 

Missionaries among the Heathen, 305 

Children of Missionaries, IQO 



Tt)tal of Congregations iu the Foreign 

Mission Field, • C9,123 



] Edm. A. de Schweinitz 
■ jand Lewis R. Hucbeuer. 



114,101 
A list of the Churches and Missions of the 

Northern Province of the Moravian Church 

in America. 

Bethany, Minn., . . Henry Reusswig. 

with Oakridgo, Minn., . " " 

Bethlehem, Pa., . 

Brooklyn, N. Y. . . Edwd. Rondthaler. 

Canal Dover, Ohio, . Stephen M. Smith. 

Chaska, Minn., . . Clement L. Reiuke. 

with Northfield, Minn., " " 

Ebonezer, Wis., . . John G. Kattenbrunn. 

Egg Harbor, N. J., . G. R. S. Eeurig. 

Elizabeth, N. J., . . Christian Nen. 

Enimaus, Pa., . . Julius Wuensche. 

Ephraim, Wis., . . JohnG. Groenfeldt. 

with Sturgeon Bay, Wis. *' *' 

Fort Howard, Wis., 
Freedom, Wis., 
Frv'd Valley, Ohio, 

Gnadenhuetten, Ohio, . '* '• 

(jraccham, Md., . . Henry T. Brachman. 

Gracehill, Iowa, . . Benjamin Ricksecker. 

Greenbay, Wis., . 
Harmony, Iowa, . 
Hope, lud., 

with Enon, lud., . '■ *• 

Hopedale, Pa., . . Charles Na:;( 1. 

witli Coveviiloand Oak-l (. „ 

land, . . -J" 

Lake Mills, Wis., . . ThilSp F. llommell. 

with Mamre, Wis., . *' " 

and Now Salem, . " " 

Lancaster, Pa., . . D ivid Bigler. 

Lebanon, . . Edmd. A. Oerter. 

Litiz, Pa., . . . Edward T. Kluge. 

Moravia, Iowa, . . Francis W. Knauss. 

Xazareth, Pa., . . Henry A. Shultz. 

New Dorp, S. I., . . Francis F. Ilagcn. 

with Centrcvi'.le, S. S., " " 

New York, N. Y.English, Amadeus A. Reinkc. 

New York, N. Y. Germ'n, Theodore Sonderman. 

Olney, 111., . . John F. Warman. 

Palmyra, N. J., . . Philip H. Gapp. 

■with Riverside, N. J.. . " " 

Philadelphia, Pa., 1st eh., Jo.seph II. Kummer. 

Philadelphia, Pa, 21 ch., IbTinaii 8. Hoffman. 

with Harrowgate, Pa.. . " " 

Schoeneck, Pa., . . John J. Regr^nnas. 

Sharon, Ohio, . . David Z. Smith. 

South BethU='hem, Pa., . Henry J. VanVleck. 

with EngUsh, S. S, . 



Andrew M. Iverson. 
Gottlieb Uecke. 
James B. Hamau; 



John D. Detterer. 
Lewis P. Clewell. 
William L. Lcnnert. 



E i: T 11 L E II E M, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



131 



Utica, N. Y.. . . John Praeger. 

Watertown, "Wis., . , . John C. Israel, 

West Salem, lit., English, Joseph J. Ricksecker. 

West Salem, 111., German, Herman J. Titze. 

York, Pa., . . . William Henry Rice. 

INDIAN MISSIONS. MISSIONARIES. 

New Fairfield, Canada, . Edwin E. Reinko. 
Kew Westfield, Kansas, . Joseph Romig. 

lu this connection, the following copy of 
a jjassport issued during the French and 
Indian war, hy Gov. Denny to Kev. Freder- 
ick Post, 1759, will not be without interest. 
William Dknnv. 

To (ill 2>crsou8 whom it mai/ concern , Greeting. 
Whereas, Rev. Frederick Post, a Deacon in the Church 
of the Uuitas Fratruin, lias gignifled to mo that now 
peace, through the Divine Blessing, is likely to he 
established between hia Mig'esty and the several 
Indian Nations with wliora wq were lately at war, 
he has an earnest desire to go amongst them with 
some of Ihe Brethren of the said Church, in order to 
publish the glad tidings of salvation obtained by our 
Lord Jc3U9 Christ, aud whereas, I have had good 
experience uf the loyalty, integrity and prudence of 
the said Frcdoriik Post, having employed him on 
several important occasions during the war in ne- 
gotiating with the Indians; I do therefore very 
readily graut him my authority and full lisence 
and permissiim, together with one, or more, of the 
said Brethren, to pass and repass as often aa he shall 
think fit in the Indian country, unmolested and for 
the purpose aforesaid, that is to say, to preach the 
gospel amongst any of the said Indian Nations, in 
alliance with bis Miijesty, he continuing to demean 
liimself well, and giving me in every journey, or 
immediately on his return home, an account of his 
doings amongst the said Indiiin Nations, to whom 
lie is hereby heartily recommended for a kind re- 
ception and gi)od treatment. 
Given at Philadel|ihia November 5th, 1C50. 
By his Ilouurs command, 

Richard Peters, Secretary. 

Christian Frederick Post, was a Moravian 
Missionary among the Indians, a very 
courageous man, undertaking the most dan- 
gerous journeys cheerfully. lie assumed 
during his travels, the dress of the Indians, 
artd was much beloved by them. His jour- 
nal was in possession of the late departed 
Sister "Polly" Heckewelder. 

Johanna Maria Heckewelder was an in- 
mate of the Sisters* House, in Bethlehem, 
Pa., where she departed this life on the 19th 



of September, 1868, aged eighty-seven years, 
five months and two days. She was the only 
(laughter of the famous Moravian Missionary 
to the American Indians, the late Rev. John 
Heckewelder, and was born on Easter Mon- 
day, April 16, 1781, at Salem, a village of 
christian Indians on the Muskingum Eiver, 
and was baptized the next day by the Rev. 
"William Edwards, minister at Gnadenheut- 
ten. She was the iirst white child born in 
what is now the State of Ohio. A few days 
after her birth, occurred the events which 
ended in the breaking up of the Indian 
congregations on the Muskingum. The 
Wyandotte Nation took all the settlers prison- 
ers, and they were compelled to march on 
foot to Detroit, which they reached after 
many hardships. In 1785 she was sent to 
the Female Seminary at Bethlehem, where 
she was educated, and in her twentieth year 
became a teacher in the Moravian School 
for Girls, at Litiz, Pa. ; five years afterwards 
her loss ot hearing compelled her to resign 
her position. Her father died at Bethlehem 
in the year 1823, and having then no home, 
she found a safe retreat in the "Sister's 
House," where she lived a quiet, peaceful 
life, and passed her allotted time on earth. 
She was a great favorite with the peoj^le of 
the town; and many visitors to the place 
called on her, to hear her recount recollec- 
tions of the past. 

Her father, the Rev. John Heckewelder, 
was even more celebrated as an author than 
he was as a Missionary. 

In the first volume of the transactions of 
the Historical and Literary Committee of 
the American Philosophical Society, heldot 
Philadelphia, for promoting useful know- 
ledge, published in 1819, will be found the 
following works of Rev. John Heckewelder, 
"An account of the History, Manners and 
Customs of the Indian Nations who once In- 
habited Pennsylvania and the Neighboring 
States," occupying 350 pages. In the same 
volume, will also be found 100 pages devoted 
to the correspondence between Mr. Hecke- 
welder and Peter S. Duponeeau, Esq., res- 
pecting " The Languages of the American 



132 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Indians." And an article No. Ill, entitled, 
'■ Words, Phrases and Short Dialogues, in 
the Language of the Lenni Lenape or Dela- 
ware Indians," by the Rev. John Ilecke- 
welder, of Bethlehem, these take up the rest 
of the volume, 12 pages. Preceding these 
works, which are invaluable to the histor- 
ian, is "The Report of the Corresponding 
Secretary to the Historical Committee, on 
the Languages of the American Indians," 
and a "List of MS. Donations to the Com- 
mittee, concerning the Indians and their 
Languages." Among these donations are 
the following, by Mr. Heckewclder. 

1. A vocabulary cf the Jfachiciuut, taken 

down from the mouth of cue of that na- 
tion, born in Connecticut — by the donor. 

2. A vocabulary of the 5/iau-a»o, taken down 

from the mouth of a white woman, who 
had been 20 years a prisoner witli that 
nation — by the donor. 

3. A vocabulary of the Nuiituokc. taken down 

from the mouth of a Nanticoke chief in 
1785 — by the donor. 

4. A comparative vocabulary of the Lcuui 

Lenape and Af^oitqittn — by tlie donor. 

o. Same of the Lenni Lennpe proper, the 
Jlinni dialect, the Mahicq^nnij A'atik or 
A'*it/(7.-, Cln'pj)eic(ii/f Shaicano and Xanti- 
cole — by the donor, 

fi. Same of the Lenni Lenape and J/ianu or 
Tici'jhtwee — by the donor. 

7. Names of the various trees, shrubs and 
plants, in the language of the Lenni 
Lenape or Delaware, distinguishing the 
dialects of the Unamis and Jlinsi — by the 
donor. 

5. A short account of the Memjwe, Maqna or 

Jlinf/oes, (as they are called by the white 
people,) according to the sayings and 
reports of the Lenni Lenape, Jl/ahieanni, 
and other tribes connected with these, 
4 to 25 yip. — presented by the author. 
!). A short account of the emigration of the 
nation of Indians calling themselves 
Lenni Lenape, and improperly called by 
the whites, Delawares, as related by 
themselves, 4 to 28 pp — presented by 
the author. 



Among the books in the Library of the 
Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, there 
are numerous works " dcpoailed by the So- 
ciety of United Brethren at Bethlehem." 
why they do not reclaim them and keep 
them in their own church Library, is a 
mystery, they would be much safer in the 
church, than in the old building in Fifth 
Street below Chestnut, in Philadelphia. 

" The Ilorsfield Papers, a large collection 
of original documents aqd letters from the 
principal characters in Pennsylvania, relat- 
ing to Indians business, at and about the 
period of the war of 1750, deiionited by Joseph 
Ilorsfield, Esq., of Bethlehem," are also in 
this Library. They ought to be withdrawn 
and put in a place of safety. 

The Eev. Mr. Ileckewelder also wrote " A 
Narrative of the Missions of the United 
Brethren among the Delaware and Mohigan 
Indians," which was published at Philadel- 
phia in the year 1820. 

From a small business pamphlet published 
by Frederick & Co., at Lancaster, Pa., in 
18C9, the following brief " History of North- 
ampton County," is extracted, viz ; 

" Northampton Cou.ntt, formed is 1751, is 
bounded north by Carbon and Monroe counties ; 
east by the river Delaware, separating it from 
New Jersey; south by Bucks county; west by 
Lehigh county. 

*' The southern portion is mountainous and 
uneven, being traversed by the irregular chain 
of hils called the South Mountains. These are 
chiefly composed of gneiss and other primary 
rocks, which are overlaid by limestone in some 
of the narrow valleys. Magnetic iron ore is 
found in several places on (he hills associated 
with the primary rocks. North of these hills 
is a broad belt of the great limestone formation 
of the Cumberland or Kittany valley, which 
stretches from the Delaware south-wcstwiird 
into Maryland and A^irgiuia, hariug a soil of 
the most productive character, aud a compara- 
tively level surface. Iron ore of the brown ar- 
gillaceous and hematite varieties is abundant 
along the south side of the Lehigh, near the 
junction of this limestone with the primary 
rocks, and is mined in many places. It is also 
occasionally found within the range of limestone 
further north. On the Delaware, above Easton, 
the limestone belt is divided by a high ridge of 
primary rocks, called Chestnut Hill, having 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



1C3 



along its southern side serpentine and other 
mngnesian rocks, associated with which nre 
fuimd talc, asbestos, tremolite, arogite, neph- 
rite, zircon, tourmalin and a variety of other 
interesting minerals. There are few places in 
the State which offer so inviting a locality to 
the mineralogist as the neighborhood of Eas- 
ton. About three miles north cf Bethlehem is a 
small insulated ridge of primary rock, protrud- 
ed through the limestone, and nearly in line 
with the range of Chestnut Hill. Between Al- 
leutowa and Bethlehem, along the north side of 
the Lehigh, is a hill in which these rocks also 
appear, having on its northern side some de- 
tached portions of sandstone between the pri- 
mary rocks and the limestone. The northern 
border of the limestone formation extends east- 
ward from the Lehigh at Siegfried's Bridge, by 
Bath and Nazareth to the Delaware, at the 
mouth of Martin's Creek, appearing alsc on the 
north side of the river, to a point nearly oppo- 
site Belvidcro. From this line to the base of 
the Blue Mountains the country is composed of 
a slate formation, with the exception of a nar- 
row point of limestone on the Delaware, about the 
mouth of Cobus Creek, below the Water Gap, 
which, after extending a short distance west- 
ward sinks beneath the overlaying slate. The 
surface of this slate region is generally hilly, 
and the soil but moderately productive j being, 
however, susceptible of great improvement by 
the use of lime as a manure, when aided by ju- 
dicious cultivation. Extensive slate quarries 
have been opened at different places, and an ex- 
tensive business is carried on. Hoofing slate of 
a superior quality is obtained in large quantities, 
and school slate manufactories have been estab- 
lished, in which, by the aid of ingenious ma- 
chinery, slates of neatness and excellence arc 
produced at a moderate price. Some of the 
lower strata of the slate formation, near its 
junction with the limestone, yield an excellent 
hydraulic cement, which is manufactured on the 
Lehigh. These strata are finally exposed on 
the east side of Martin's Creek, near its mouth. 

*' The Blue Mountain now forms the northern 
boundary of Northampton, and is capped by the 
compact gray and reddish sandstones of the 
formation nest above the slate last mentioned. 
The Delaware and Lehigh rivers both pass 
through this mountain by gaps apparently torn 
by the mighty force of the gushing waters from 
the country above J with high and precipitous 
cliffs rising almost perpendicularly from the wa* 
ter, and presenting magnificent views of wild 
and romantic scenery on the rivers, as well as a 
widely extended and beautiful prospect from the 
top of the mountain. Near mid-way between 



these two rivers is a singular opening called the 
Wind Gap, through which no stream passes ; but 
the almost level crest line of the mountain is 
here depressed nearly as low as the country on 
each side J forming a notch in the mountain of 
peculiar convenience for the passage of travel- 
ers and teams, and towards which the leading 
roads on both sides converge and pass through 
in one great thoroughfare. 

'* The Delaware river flowa along the eastern 
side of the county, in a direction nearly south, 
but with a meandering course. The Lehigh 
runs south-eastward along the western boundary 
to within about five miles of Allentown, where 
it passes into Lehigh county, one township of 
which lies east of the river. At Bethlehem it 
again enters into Northampton county, having 
now a north-eastern course to the Delaware at 
Eastoa, Bushkill creek is a considerablestream, 
rising by several branches- near the Blue Moun- 
tain, and flowing southward to the Delaware at 
Easton, Its mouth is but a short distance above 
that of the Lehigh. This stream supplies power 
to a great number of mills throughout most of 
its course, Martin's creek runs southward to the 
Delaware, seven miles above Easton. The Mon- 
ocacy has also a southward course, falling into 
the Lehigh at Bethlehem. Saucon creek flows 
north-eastward from the southern part of Lehigh 
county, and empties on the south side of the 
Lehigh below Bethlehem. All these streams, 
together with a number of smaller creeks iu 
different parts of the county, supply abundance 
of water power for mills and manufacturing pur- 
poses. In addition to this, the surplus water 
from the dams and canal of the Lehigh Naviga- 
tion Company, is let for uses requiring water 
power. 

" Easton, the county town, is beautifully situ- 
ated at the confluence of the two rivers, sur- 
rounded by picturesque hills, having on the 
east the majestic Delaware, on the south the 
wild and rapid Lehigh, and on the north the lit- 
tle Bushkill, winding its way through the green 
meadows, and having its banks studded with 
busy mills and substantial farm houses. This 
town is favorably located for business, being in 
the midst of a fertile, well cultivated and popu- 
lous region, and at the junction of the Delaware 
Division of the State canal, with the works of 
the Lehigh Navigation Company. It has com- 
munication with New York by several rail roads 
and the Morris Canal on the opposite side of the 
Delaware. The town is rapidly increasing in 
wealth and population, containing about 14,- 
000 inhabitants. The Court House is in the 
centre of the town, and other fine public build- 
ings, and a number of churches, some of which 



IZi 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



are spacious and handsome edifices. Lafayette 
Cnllejje is a noble buildiDg, situated on the bill 
north of the Bushkill creek, and commanding a 
fine view of the town, the rivers, the canals and 
the picturesque and flourishing country around 
f'-T miles in extent. 

Bethlehem, on the Lehigh, eleven miles above 
Easton, was founded at an early day by the 
Moravians or United Brethren, and the town is 
stiil chiefly inhabited by their descendants. 
They have a large church, a female seminary, a 
school for boys, a widows' house for the support 
of indigent widows, and a sisters* house for the 
support of indigent unmarried females, Ac. All 
these institutions are admirably conducted, and 
a degree of neatness and order is everywhere ob- 
servable which is highly creditable tu that church. 
The schools enjoy a high and deserved reputa- 
tion, and have a great number of pupils from 
the city and various parts of the country. The 
delightful situation of this place, the charming 
country around it, and above all, the quiet and 
order observed by the inhabitants, with their 
politeness and general attention to the conveni- 
ence and comfort of strangers, have rendere I 
Bethlehem a favorite place of resort during 
summer months. The day may be pleasantly 
passed in riding through the beautiful country 
around, in walks among the hills, in boaticg or 
fishing on the river, while the evenings arc en- 
livened by music, the inhabitants being distin- 
guished for their attention paid to music, and 
the excellence of their performance in this art. 
Bethlehem, or old Bethlehem, contains about 
6,UO0 inhabitants. 

South Bethlehem, opposite Bethlehem, on the 
Eouth side of the Lehigh, is a very enterprising 
town, containiugabout 4,00Uiuhabitauts, There 
are zinc works, rolling mills and numerous other 
works of note; also, an extensive mercantile 
business, conducted chiefly by young and enter- 
prising business men. The Lehigh University 
is in its limits, it is an ediuce that has btit 
few equals for beauty, healtlj, <tc,, and bids fair 
at no distant day to be one of the greatest in- 
stitutions of America. 

The public improvements of most importance 
to the country are the Delaware Division uf the 
State Canal, and the canal and slackwater navi- 
gatiuu of the Lehigh Kavigatiun Co The Dela- 
ware Division extends from tide-water,atBristol 
to Easton, about eight miles of the canal being in 
Northampton county. At l^aston it connects 
with the Lehigh Navigation, which-extends up 
the river to the north-western corner of the 
county. The benefits received by the people of 
this region from the construction of these works 
will be perceived when it is considered., that be- 



fore they were undertaken the Lehigh was use- 
less fur the purpose of navigation — produce be- 
ing sent from Easton in long narrow boats, 
which descended the Delaware at high water by 
hazardous voyages through the falls, and were 
pushed back against the current by the inces- 
sant and fatiguing operation of "setting" or 
propelling the boat by means of long pules 
pointed with iron. 

The roads are generally kept in good condi- 
tion for traveling, and bridges are built across 
the Lehigh at important points. The inhabi- 
tants are mostly of German descent, :ind in 
their familiar intercourse with eaeh other gen- 
erally use their own language, though there are 
few who do not understand and speak English 
sufiiciently well for the common purjtoses of con- 
versation. We cannot make this hi^iftory com- 
plete without giving a passing notice of some 
of the principal business houses of Bethlehem 
and South Bethlehem. In the dry goods busi- 
ness we find C. M. Knauss & Borhek, Bethle- 
hem ; Dr. J. K. Roney, of Pennsylvania Dental 
College of Philadelphia; the Photograph Gal- 
lery of Messrs Osborne dfe Malthancr; taking 
pictures from carte de viette to life size, they du 
work equal to New York or Philadelphia. E. 
C. Kickfccker's spacious music store, where a 
full assortment of musical instruments and 
sheet music is always kept on hand. Again: 
the jewelry establishment of James K. Ranch, 
which is equal to any in the larger cities. To 
those contemplating going to housekeeping, or 
wishing fine furniture, will find it at Messrs. 
Zimmcle <fe Ilarwi. Any person wishing any- 
thing in the hat, cap or fur line, can find a well 
selected assortment at John B. Zimmclc's. V. 
E. Luckenbach, dealer in stoves, tin and house 
furnishing goods; II. M. Ivrausc, dealer in hard- 
ware; Jos. A. Weaver keeps constantly on hand 
books, stationery, &c., and the daily papers, op- 
posite the Sun Hotel. Anthony Goth, dealer 
in wall paper, and pnper hanger. Any person 
wishing a fine suit of clothes, can be accommo- 
dated at Messrs. Nickum & Derr, merchant 
tailors. Geo. Jones, manufacturer of spirit 
vinegar and bitters. J. H. Lilly, dealer in 
grain, flour, feed, liquors and wine. Transue & 
Buss, planing mill; and the Monocacy Brewery, 
In South Bethlehem we find the enterprising 
druggist, William S. Sieger." 

Seal op the Moravian Churcu. 
At page 60, of these sketches, the official 
Seal of the Moravian church is spoken of as 
the " official Episcopal seal," "which is erron- 
eous, as the Bishops of the Moravian church 
are not clothed with any prc-emiueut au- 



BETHLEHEM, P E N X S Y L V A N I A. 



135 



thority. They do not govern the church, 
and the Seal not being used by the Bishops 
exclusively, is not an Episcopal Seal. For 
this correction I am indebted, to the " Me- 
morials of the Moravian church," vol I, p. 
xiii, where the following description is given 
of the Seal of the church, viz : " On a shield 
sanguine a Paschal Lamb argent, passant, 
carrying a cross resurrection argent, from 
which is suspended a triumphal banner of 
the same." 

I beg to observe that the color eanguhie, 
murry, or a dark red, is in heraldy a eiainecl 
or dishonorahJe Color, see the Encyclopedia 
Metropolitana; the color should therefore 
be f/iffes, red, expressed bylines perpendicu- 
lar from top to bottom, in a drawing of the 
Seal. The color represented by the book- 
plate of " The Moravian Book Association," 
is argent; the banner is without the cross 
upon it; the staff is entirely too long, and 
improperly drawn, neither extremity of it 
should touch the edge of the shield. 

It has always been my intention to ]>lace 
upon the title page of this work, the official 
Seal of the Moravian church; and with all 
due respect to the association, I shall carry 
out my original design; although the wood- 
cut will not express any colors, because the 
impression which I have of the "official 
Seal" (furnished me by the proper authori- 
ties of the church,) does not bear the heraldic 
marks of colors. The true blazon of the Seal, 
furnished me by Mr. Charles J. Lukens of 
Philadelphia, a member of the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania, and the well known 
c.X2iert in heraldic art, is " Gules, a Paschal 
Lamb, (or holy lamb,) proper, upon a Mount 
Vert. Motto: — Vicit Atjnus, noster, Enm Sc- 
qiianntr, ' Our Lamb is victorious, let us fol- 
low him.' " 

In an old work entitled, " Travels in Korth 
America, in the year 1780, *fcc," written by 
the Marquis de Chastellux, will be found an 
interesting account of the author's visit to 
the " Moravian Mill" and Bethlehem, com- 
mencing at page 306, of vol. 2nd, and ending 
at page 334. 

And in a note to page 401, of the same 



volume, will be found Mr. Charles Thom- 
son's interesting account of the formation of 
water-gaps in our mountains, in which par- 
ticular mention is made of the Wind-gap ; 
which he thinks was formerly the bed of the 
Delaware, or rather an earlier outlet for a 
vast inland lake, once existing to the north of 
the Blue Ridge ; but that afterwards the wa- 
ters of the lake having freed another and 
easier opening in the ridge at the Delaware 
Water-gap, which entirely drained what was 
once the great inland sea, the Wind-gap be- 
came what it now is, a dry thoroughfare, 
about one hundred feet higher than the 
present bed of the Delaware. 

Among the books written by Mr. Charles 
Thompson, afterwards secretary of the Conti- 
nental Congress, is a rare work, a copy of 
which I have in my possession ; showing 
the manner in which the Minisink and 
Munsey Indians were defrauded of their 
lands, having the elaborate title of "An 
Enquiry into the Causes of the Alienation of 
the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from 
the British Interest, and with the measures 
taken for renewing their Friendship. 

" Extracted from the Public Treaties and 
other authentic papers relating to the Trans- 
actions of the Government of Pe»nsilvaHi<t 
and the said Indians, for near forty years ; 
and explained by a Map of the country. 

"Together with the remarkable Journal 
of Christian Frederic Past, by whose Negotia- 
tions among the Indians on the Ohio, they 
were withdrawn from the Interest of tlie 
French, who therupon abandoned the Fort 
and Country. 

"With Notes by the Editor, explaining 
sundry Indian Customs, &c. 
" Written in Pennsylvania. 
London. 

"Printed for J. Wilkie, at the Bible 

in St. Paul's Churchyard. 

MDCCLIX." 

On an old cast-iron oven plate, taken from 
the cellar of the former residence of Chris- 
tian Lange, deceased, the following words 
are cast, " Eiclite nicht Auf Das Ihr," i. c, 



ICG 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



"Judge not least ye bo judged." The sen- 
tence is not complete, as will be perceived, 
the words " Nkht yericlited wird," being 
omitted. Ou the lower p.art of the p'.ato is 
the date of its easting, ITJO. I deposited 
this old relic in the Museum of the Young 
Men's Missionary Society, where there are 
several others of a like character. These 
plates are about 22 by 26 inches. On one of 
them there is the picture of a minister in a 
pulpit, having a boolc in his hand, witli a 
crown in an arch above his head, the arch 
being supported by columns on either side 
of the pulpit, on the right is a female figure, 
apparently entering the church through an 
open door, to the left is the figure of a man, 
also entering, this representing, I presume, 
a marriage ceremony; below on the jjlate is 
the inscription. 

" Wer bar iber nur wil laches, 
Der mag es beser machen, 
Taielen kenen ia ser vil, 

ABEK beser machen 1ST DAS RECHTE SRIL." 

That is to say : 
" Whoever chooses to laugh over this pic- 
ture, lie shall make a better one. Anybody 
can make fun, but to do better, that is the 
right way." 

There is another plate, bearing the date 
175G, on which is the following distach, 
" Las dich das bese nicht," meaning, " Don't 
let your anger overcome you," or in the 
vernacular, keep cool I a cool proverb for the 
cook, on a hot plate; for these plates were 
used on the front of the ovens, and the sides 
of fire places in old times, to ornament them, 
while being useful. There is one side plate 
in the museum, taken from the " old Family 
House" or "Nursery," as I have called it, 
on which is the figure of a stork drinking 
out of a high, long necked urn, while a 
thirsty fox looks on disgusted. Another 
front plate, dated 1751, is so broken that the 
inscription cannot be deciphered, although 
the plate is the most interesting of the whole 
collection, being ornamented with arches, 
columns, festoons, boquets and flowers in 
pots; in the upper dexter corner is the fol- 



lowing name, in large capital letters, joined 
together, forming a kind of monogram, 

lAlIX POT. 

Meaning John 1'ott, who was one of the first 
iron founders in Pennsylvania, and the 
manufacturer of these cast-iron stove plates. 
He lived at that time in Germantown, and 
was of German descent; his father, Wilhelm 
Pott, having emigrated to this country in 
1734, and settled at that place, see Eupp's 
History of Schuylkill County, Ac., page 272, 
in a note. From Jhis family the town of 
I'ottavUlc, Pennsylvania, takes its name. 
The Germans pronounce the name Putt : I 
have this from John Vogel, of Philadelphia, 
late of Bath, who is of German descent, .and 
was well acquainted with some members of 
the Pott family, andlike them, is engaged in 
the same business that they were then. Mr. 
Vogel says he has one of the old stove plates 
above described, of a very large size, bearing 
the date of 1745. Nearly every one of these 
old jilates have the representation of flowers 
in pots, on them; this seems to have been 
the trade mark, or the crest of the family of 
Pott. 

Mr. Edward II. Rau, showed me one of 
these old relics, now in possession of his 
family, on which there is the representation 
of the temptation of Joseph. Potiphar's wife 
is in the act of springing out of a high-post, 
curtained bed, clutching with both hands 
the flying cloak of the rapidly departing 
Adonis; below the picture are the words, 

"DAS "WEIB DAS SVCHT 
JOSEPH ZV aNTZVNDE. 
IM. I E. MOSF 13 C 1749." 

Meaning literally, "The woman she seeks 
Joseph to inflame." In the first Book of 
Moses, chapter 13, 1749." 

Among the numerous curiosities in the .Mu- 
seum are some that are rare. I purchased 
of a lad, Thomas A. Milchsack, a few years 
ago, a large stone, pear shaped, resembling 
in form a pine apple cheese, only in size a 
trifle larger, which had formerly been used 
by the Indians to grind corn with, the under 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



137 



Bide, or larger end, is polished smooth from 
constant use. It was found in the old In- 
dian House, on the west bank of the Manoc- 
kasy, when they tore down that old building. 

A gentleman at Nazareth has a large and 
valuable collection of Indian relics and curi- 
osities, numbering G,000 pieces. 

The '•■ Old Sun Dial," made of soap-stone, 
is another curiosity, this was formerly on 
the south side of the Brethren's House, it 
has on its face the date, jidccxltiii, at the 
b<.>ttom of the stone, and at the top the words 
" GLORIA PLEUE^," i. e., ■' Honor to the 
pierced side of Christ." 

In the Museum there is also many old 
Tihs, made in Bethlehem, a part of one has 
burnt in on its face, 174, the rest of the date 
being broken off. These tiles were used for 
lloors, mantels, stoves and roofing. Some 
■were colored, and highly ornamented with 
figures and flowers, impressed on them and 
burnt in. A specimen of mantel brick or 
tile, black in color, and ornamented,is among, 
those preserved in the Museum. Some speci- 
mens of the roofing tile formerly used in the 
town, are also carefully treasured. 

In tearing down the old residence of Mr. 
Lange, above referred to, to make room for 
the erection of the large building and hand- 
some drug store of M. M. Selfridge, on Main 
Street, opposite the Eagle Hotel, he discov- 
ered under the pavement in front of the 
dwelling, two sections of the old pitch pine 
water pipes, laid down there in the year 
1766, to supply the Sun Hotel with water. 
One section of it was carefully removed, and 
found tobe in a perfect state of preservation. 
He had it sawed into short lengths, one of 
which is deposited in the Museum at Bethle- 
hem, and another portion sent to Frederic C. 
Graff, the engineer of the Fairmount Water- 
works, Philadelphia. This latter piece has 
still attached to it the original iron connec- 
tion or hub, by which it was fastened to the 
next section. The wood, after having been 
in the ground one hundred and five years, 
emitted a strong smell of turpentine when 
taken out. This section appeared to have 
been made from the trunk of a pine tree, 



with bark on it, and the branches still re- 
maining some three inches in length, with 
a hole bored through the trunk. The hole 
had become much enlarged by the action of 
the lime water, which had eaten out the 
heart of the tree. The bark helped to pre- 
serve the wood, which is sound and perfect, 
except the heart, although the bark crumbled 
to dirt on being exposed to the air and 
handled. 

In demolishing the old (Economy Build- 
ing on Main Street, to make room for tho 
erection of the new Moravian Publication 
Buildings, the rafters of the old structure 
were removed sound and in good condition, 
they were of oak, of large size, 24 feet long, 
each, and six by eight inches in thickness ; 
and were sold for joists, to be be used in 
another building about to be erected in tho 
town 

There were some curious customs in tho 
town in the old days of the CEconomy, one 
of which would sound singular in these times. 
The store belonged to the Society, and when 
any one called for an article, sugar for ex- 
ample, the person was asked : How much do 
you want? If, six pounds, was replied. 
How many have you in your family? Or if 
the storekeeper knew, he said, you have only 
six, you must do with three pounds, we have 
others to supply beside you, we don't get 
goods from town, (Philadelphia,) every day. 

In the open space of ground to the south 
of the Eagle Hotel, now an open green, there 
stood in the early part of the present cen- 
tury, an enclosed frame Market House, 
which was torn down about the year 1824; 
and an open Market House, with brick pil- 
lars erected in its stead, on Market Street 
near to, and east of Main Street, here meat 
only, was sold every morning to the people. 
Shortly after the incorporation of the bor- 
ough, it was determined to grade the streets ; 
in doing this it was necessary to cut down 
Market Street at that point very considera- 
bly, so the market had to be demolished. 
Since then there has been no public market 
in Bethlehem, although one is sadly needed. 
The stone Water Tower, which stood further 



138 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



east on Market Street, opposite the i^resent 
residence of Ambrose J. Erwin, was also 
torn down about the same time, and lor the 
same reason. 

There was a grave-yard laid out on the 
south side of the Lehigh River, in the year 
1747, fcr the interment of persons attached 
to the Brethren's Church, who lived in 
Saucon. It was on the hill near the ferry 
and Crown Inn, on the spot now occupied 
by the hot-house of Mr. E. P. Wilber. 

The town of Easton, Pa., the seat of justice 
of Northampton County, was laid out in 
1737, by Hugh Wilson and Col. Martin, com- 
missioners, and Wm. Parsons, surveyor. 
The Moravians had at this place, at an early 
period of its settlement, a Brethren's House, 
a large stone edifice, now one of the oldest 
buildings in the town, forming a portion of 
John Bachman's hotel, but it was never used 
for the purpose for which it was erected. It 
was rendered famous in the Colonial times 
by the councils held therewith the Indians 
and the treaties concluded with them, es- 
pecially those made with Ccin-ima-sat-e-rjn, 
the chief of the Six Nations, and Tedue^cnn'j, 
the celebrated king of the Delawares. 

ZiNZENDOitF's Visit to Wyomixg. 

" Zeal for the propagation of the Gospel, 
caused the foot of the first white man to 
tread the soil of Wyoming. Long the resi- 
dence of kings, it may not be improper to 
relate that the first white visitor should 
have been of noble birth, and of kingly* (?) 
extraction.'' So admirably is the event re- 
lated by Mr. Chapman, that I copy his 
original and well authenticated narrative 
entire. Wm. Penn Miner's History of Wy- 
oming, page 38, &c. See also Wm. L. Stone's 
History of Wyoming, page 100. 

" Soon after the arrival of the Delawares at 
Wyoming, and during the same season (the 
summer of the year 1742,) a distinguished 
foreigner. Count Zinzendorf, of Saxony, ar- 
rived in the valley on a religious mission to 
the Indians. This nobleman is believed to 

* I never before hcirJ that Zinzendorf wa? of kingly 
descent. 



have been the first white person that ever 
visited Wyoming. He was the revivor of the 
ancient church of the United Brethren, and 
had given protection in his dominions to the 
prosecuted Protestants who had emigrated 
from Moravia, thence taking the name of 
Moravians, and who, two years before, had 
made their first settlement in Pennsylvania. 
"Upon his arrival in America, Count Zin- 
zendorf manifested a great anxiety to have 
the Gospel preached' to the Indians; and al- 
though he had heard much of the ferocity 
of the Shawanese, formed a resolution to 
visit them. With this view, he reiwired to 
Tulpehocken, the residence of Conrad Weiser, 
a celebrated interpreter, and Indian agent 
for the government, whom he wished to 
engage in the cause, and accompany him to 
the Shawanese town. Weiser was too much 
occupied in business to go immediately to 
Wyoming, but he furnished the Count with 
letters to amissionary of thenameof Mack,® 
and the latter accompanied by his wife, who 
could speak the Indian language, proceeded 
immediately with Zinzendorf for the pro- 
jected mission. 

" The Shawanese appeared to be alarmed 
on the arrival of the strangers, who pitched 
their tents on the banks of the river a little 
below the town, and a council of the chiefs 
having assembled, the declared purpose of 
Zinzendorf was deliberately considered. To 
these unlettered children of the wilderness, 
it appeared altogether improbable that a 
stranger should have braved the dangers of 
the boisterous ocean, 3,000 miles broad, for 
the sole purpose of instructing them in the 
means of obtaining happiness after death, 
and that too, without requiring any compen- 
sation for his trouble and expense; and as 
they had observed the anxiety of the white 
people to purchase land of the Indians, they 
naturally concluded that the real object of 
Zinzendorf was either to procure from them 
the lands at Wyoming for his own use, to 

* John Martin Mack, a missionary then, and after 
wards a Bishop of tho Moravian Church. The idea of 
"Weiser introducing Zinzendorf to one of his own peo- 
ple, is absurd 



B E T II L i: II E M, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



139 



search for hidden treasures, or to examine 
the country with a view to future conquest. 
It was according resolved to assassinate him, 
and to do it privately, least the knowledge 
of the transaction should produce a war with 
the English, who were settling the country 
below the mountains. 

"Zinzendorf was alone in his tent, seated 
upon a bundleof dry weeds, which composed 
his bed, and engaged in writing, when the 
assassins approached to execute their bloody 
commission. It was night, and the cool air 
of September had rendered a small fire ne- 
necessary to his comfort and convenience. 
A curtain formed of a blanket, and hung 
upon pins, was the only guard to the entrance 
of his tent. The heat of his fire had roused 
a large rattle-snake, which lay in the weeds, 
not far from it; and the reptile, to enjoy it 
more effectually, crawled slowly into the 
tent, and passed over one of his legs undis- 
covered. Without, all was still and quiet, 
except the gentle murmur of the river at the 
rapids, about a mile below. At this moment 
(he Indians softly approached the door of 
his tent, and slightly removing the curtain, 
contemplated the venerable man, too deeply 
engaged in the subject of his thoughts to 
notice either their approach, or the snake 
which lay extended before him. At a sight 
like this, even the heart of the savage shrank 
from the idea of committing so horrid an act, 
aud quitting the spot they hastily returned 
to the town, and informed their companions 
that the Great Spirit protected the white man, 
for they had found him with no door but a 
blanket, and had seen a large rattte-snake 
crawl over hia legs without attempting to 
injure him. This circumstance, together 
with the arrival soon afterwards of Conrad 
Weiser, procured Zinzendorf the friendship 
and confidence of the Indians, and probably 
contributed essentially towards inducing 
many of them, at a subsequent period, to 
embrace the Christian religion. The Count 
having spent twenty days at Wyoming, re- 
turned to Bethlehem. 

"Count Ziuzendorflearning the supremacy 
claimed and exercised by the Six Nations, 



applied to their chiefs for leave to visit the 
Indian villages, and instruct the natives in 
the doctrines of repentance and salvation, 
through the merits of the Saviour. He could 
not have been received and replied to with 
more politeness, at the most refined court of 
Europe. The answer is so beautiful in its 
simple, yet dignified eloquence, that I take 
pleasure in translating it. 

"'Brother, you have made a long journey 
over the seas to preach the gospel to the 
white people and to the Indians. You did 
not know that we were here, and we knew 
nothing of 3'ou. This proceeds from above. 
Come therefore to us, you and your brethren ; 
we bid you welcome among us. Take this 
fathom of wampum in confirmation of the 
truth of our words.' 

" The Moravians who had established 
themselves at Bethlehem, were indefatiga- 
ble in their labor of love to christianize the 
Indians. Neither the heatsof summer, win- 
ters storms, the dangers of the entangled 
forests, nor the toil in ascending precipitous 
mountains, could check the holy enthusiasm 
of the missionaries. Eight or ten made 
themselves masters of the Indian languages, 
with their kindred dialects, that they might 
be understood. Two bishops, Camerhoff 
and De Watteville, traversed the wilderness 
on foot, visited the various tribes and settle- 
ments on the Susquehanna, preaching the 
Saviour, and exhorting to repentance ; the 
former sacrificing his life by exposure to the 
behests of duty." 

By virtue of an Act of Assembly of March 
11, 1752, the County of Northampton was 
formed. By the Act, Thomas Craig, Hugh 
Wilson, John Jones, Thos. Armstrong and 
James Martin, were authorized to purchase 
land at Eastou, on the Ltlieitan, to build a 
court house, ic, for the public service. 

The first court was held at Easton, June 
IG, 1752, in the 26th year of the reign of 
George 2d, 4c., by Thos. Craig, Timothy 
Horsfield, Hugh Wilson, James Martin and 
Wm. Craig, justices of the Lord our King. 

Previous to this time, Bethlehem was 
within the limits of Bucks County, which 



140 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



formerly contained all of Iforthampton, Le- 
high, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna 
and Wayne, and parts of Schuylkill, North- 
umberland, Luzerne and Columbia. 

See I. D. Bupps, History of Northampton, 



Lehigh, Monroe, Carbon and Schuylkill 
Counties; copyrighted in 1S44, and printed 
at Harrisburg in 1845. G. Hills, proprietor, 
Lancaster, Pa. ; also, the History of Lehigh 
Valley, page 31. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



141 




THE widow's house. 

BETHLEHEM, PA. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
The Litany of the Moravian Cnuncn. — 
"Bartow's Path." — Nisky Hill. — Fried- 

ENSHUETTEN. The InDIAN IIoUSE. ThE 

Gehmak Barns. — Tecdmseh. — The Indian 
Missionary Stations. — Haidte's Painting 
op the First Fruits. — Scheussle's Picture 
of Zeisberger Preaching to the Indians. 
— The Islands. — The Lehigh, its Fresh- 
ets AND Fisheries. — A Ride on the Switch- 
back. — American Tea. — The Old Perse- 
verance AND jHE Fire Apparatus of 
BETHLEnE,M. — The IIotels. — The Streets. 
— The Old Tannery. — Social Life. — Cex- 
sus OF 1S70. — Powder Magazine. — Height 
OF THE Lehigh Hills. — May-day. — The 
Masonic Societies of Bethlehem. 



^^^HE first Litany that was Tised in the 
oils Renewed church of the Brethren, 
was Luther's, which was compiled by him 



from the ancient forms. This same Litany 
was used previously by the ancient Uiiitoa 
Fratriim, and will be found in their hymn 
book, printed in 1566. It is also to be found 
in the first hymn book of the Renewed 
church, published at Ilernhut, in 1705, (for 
a translation, see the JIaravian of August 3, 
1S65.) As the congregation at Hernhut be- 
gan to assume a more assured position as a 
church, it was felt that a Litany more ex- 
pressive of the special wants and freedom 
of spirit of the members of the congregation, 
ought to be substituted for, or added to the 
ancient Litany. Lconhanl Dnhcr, while 
"General Elder," waS the first to give ex- 
pression to this desire, and John de Watte- 
ville, (Langut,) one of the moving spirits of 
the church in bis day, made the first draft 
of the new Litany, under the direction and 
dictation of Zinzendorf, who is to be consid- 
ered as really the author. In its first form. 



U2 



niSTORICAL SKETCH OF 



as it appeared in tlie appeudix to tlie hymn 
book of 1742; and printed in almost the same 
form in the book of common prayer, edition 
of 1744, the evidences of Zinzendorf's style, 
and his peculiar method of expression, are 
iiuite j)erceptible; "while the spirit and main 
portions of Luther's Litany remain. This 
first Litany of the Renewed church, is es- 
sentially the same in arrangement and sub- 
stance as that now in use. 

"The ^]'iimlru Litati'tc, which was composed 
later, in 1744, at the commencement of the 
" time of Sifting ;" is of an entirely ditrerent 
character. The Litany was not altogether 
uninfluenced by the spirit which prevailed 
during that i>eriod of fanaticism, as will be 
seen by reference to the Liturgy book, edi- 
tion of 1755-57. But it also received some 
improvements at thesame time, one of which 
was the introduction of the Lord's prayer. 
The unhealthy elements were, however, 
afterwards removed from the Litany, during 
a revision of it, which took p'aee under the 
direction of Bishop Spangenberg. The Lit- 
urgy book of 1790-3, contains the Litany as 
now used, almost vcrhatim. 

"The names of Luther, Zinzendorf and 
Spangenberg, are connected therefore in- 
dissolubly with the history of the Litany of 
the Moravian church. Traces of the style 
and mode of expression of thought, common 
to each of those great minds, can easily be 
distinguished in this beautiful service, whilst 
in its general form and spirit, it is similar 
to the more ancient Litanies of the earlier 
Christian churches. In point of excellence 
and beauty, it compares very favorably with 
the Litany of the Episcopal church, to which 
it assimilates in its Catholic Spirit; its peti- 
tions for all classes of mankind, and in its 
intercessions for all the daily needs of the 
individual, and the church, and protection 
from all dangers that encompass life. In it 
the Brethren's church have an esj^ecial 
treasure, beautiful and precious, and of which 
they are justly proud. The Kjrii, " Lord 
have mercy upon us," at the opening, and 
the Afjnvs Del, '* thou Lamlj of God," at the 
couclusiou of the Litany service, should both 



be sung, not spoken, as is the custom in the 
Moravian church in America." 

Bartow's path, frequently alluded to in 
these Sketches, was a lovely walk a mile and 
more in length, along the banks of the Le- 
high River, commencing a little westwaril 
of where Doster's saw mill now stands, con- 
tinuing eastwardly, and overshadowed by 
the cliffs of" Nisky Hill;" seats were placed 
along the path at intervals under the fine 
old trees that lined the river's edge, for the 
promenaders to rest upon. The walk was 
partially natural, and the remainder along 
the foot of Nisky Hill was laid out and con- 
structed by a gentlemen from Philadelphia, 
whose name it bore ; and extended to the foot 
of" Jones' Ledge," from thesummitof which 
there is a magnificent view of the winding 
river, Bethlehem and its vicinity to the west. 
But this beautiful work like many others, 
has disappeared before the destructive march 
of commercial enterprise; it was destroyed 
by the construction of the canal of the Lehigh 
Navigation Company; the ornamental in 
this country has to give place to the useful ; 
and but lately the Lehigh and Schuylkill 
Railroad has been cut through the eastern 
part of Nisky Hill Cemetery, a desecration 
which might have been avoided by making 
a slight curve in the road. 

Freight and produce, to and from Phila- 
delphia, before the Lehigh Canal was con- 
structed, were carried by the way of the 
Lehigh and Delaware rivers in Durham boats. 
In olden times the country people called the 
canal boats, — arks. 

Situate in the southeastern part of Bethle- 
hem, overlooking the Lehigh River and 
canal. South Bethlehem and the Lehigh 
Mountains, is the famous " Nisky Hill," 
once a beautiful park, now a cemetery, a 
portion of the grounds being retained by the 
Bethlehem Congregation for the interment 
of its members, the remainder sold out or 
for sale to any who choose or buy, and man v 
not Moravians, have availed themselves of 
the privilege of purchasing lots m this lovely 
spot, and already some ghastly monuments, 
in execrable taste, disfigure the grounds. 



BETHLEHEM, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



14[ 



One tomb looks like a fire plug. 
And another like a lounge; 
One, a large slab of marble, 
Sticking iu the ground. 

These form a strange contrast to the old 
Moravian style of memorial stone, laid flat 
upon the grave, "which is rectangular in form, 
the stone being only twelve inches in breadth, 
and eighteen inches in length. The church 
Diary of the Philadelphia Congregation of 
June 28, 1757, gives this as the size of the 
tombstone, and says, ^' Et int bo in B^tlilcliem 
au8 'jamat'ht." It is so made iu Bethlehem. 

It ought to have been made a condition 
that all graves should have been marked in 
the simple Moravian style, and no enclosed 
marks of ownership erected around the lots 
sold in the cemetery. 

Kisky Hill is a charming place, laid out 
with walks in good taste, and thickly planted 
with trees, some of the original forest trees 
have been preserved, and add much to the 
beauty of the grounds. The original tract 
extended down to the Lehigh River, and 
along its banks for nearly half a mile, but 
the Lehigh Canal cuts off the approach to the 
river. A few years since, a long serpentine 
path, similar to the " Lover's Walk" on the 
bank of the Hudson River at West Point, 
ran along the banks of the canal, the entire 
length of the grounds, from which there was 
a fine view of the river, and the Lehigh 
mountains to the south ; but even that has 
been partially destroyed by the track of the 
Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, made in 
the year 1SG8. Nisky is one of the most de- 
lightful spots it is possible to conceive, in 
which to take a quiet ramble; seats are fixed 
on the borders of the paths at intervals, on 
which to rest. On Sunday afternoons the 
walks are thronged with crowds of the young 
and old people of the town, that is the only 
day on which they make it a place of resort, 
during the fine weather of the summer, the 
young ladies from the school, under the care 
of their teachers; and the visitors stopping 
in the town, add largely to the gay throng. 

There are some beautiful views of the sur- 
rounding country from different parts of the 



Hill, but the most attractive of all, is from 
the western walk, looking to the southwest 
the Lehigh River is seen in the distance, 
winding on its course like a silver ribbon, 
with its lively islands, and in the further 
distancetheoutlineof the mountains covered 
in summer with verdure, adds to the beauty 
of the i^rospect. In the fall of the year, when 
the trees put on their autumnal livery, the 
variegated colors of their leaves make the 
scene one of gorgeous beauty. 

In a note to p. 227, " History of Lehigli 
Valley," the reader is informed that A7«/.-ei( 
is a Delaware Indian word, implying a 
swamp, or a wet place, in allusion to the 
swampy grounds at the foot of the hill. If 
this were so, then " Nisky Hill" would be an 
anomaly ; but the simple fact is, the place 
was so called by the Brethren, in remem- 
brance of the village of NM-ij, a settlement 
of the Bohemian Brethren in upper Lusatia. 

On the same page of the same work, it is 
stated that, " Along the brow of this hill was 
the Indian town of Friedenhutten, i-c." 
This statement is erroneous. Friedenshnct- 
teii, or " Tents of Peace," was built on the 
flats below the hill on which the Gas Works 
of Bethlehem are now located, on the banks 
of the Manokasy. And the Lehigh Canal 
now covers a portion of the former site of 
that old Indian town, erected by the Breth- 
ren in 1746, as a temporary home for their 
Indian converts who came to Bethlehem iu 
that year from Shekomeho and other places. 
But soon finding it inconvenient to maintain 
so large an Indian congregation near the 
town, the Brethren some months later, pur- 
chased a tract of land near the junction of 
the 3faho7ii/ creek with the Lehigh river, and 
the Indians were removed to that place, and 
the huts on the Manokasy flats torn down. 
The settlement on the Mahony was called 
Gnadeitliuetteii, or " Tents of Grace ," and was 
deemed a more suitable residence for the In- 
dians, who could there build, plant, hunt and 
live in their own way. Their Missionary, 
John Martin Mack and some white Breth- 
ren accompanied them, laid out their town, 
and remained with them until the terrible 



144 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



jiiassacre ou the night of November 24th, 
1775, when the settlement was attacked and 
burned by the savage Indians under the 
French, and eleven of the inhabitants, all 
white Moravians, were murdered, viz. : Gott- 
leib «\.ndreas, his wife and child, Martin 
Nitschmau and wife, Catharine Senseman, 
George Sugart, Christian Fabricius, Leonard 
Katermyer, Martin Presser and Frederick 
Lesley. The Indian congregations on the 
Mahoning and Lehigh were afterwards col- 
lected together and removed to Bethlehem 
for jirotection ; the number of Indian re- 
fugees soon became very large, and their 
presence very inconvenient, so in 1758, A'aiii 
Laving been built, they were all removed 
to that place. 

The IiicUuii House, which has been before 
described as situated on the west bank of 
the Manokasy, was located in what is now 
the barn-yard of Levin J. Krauae, where he 
found this summer (1869) the fire-place, com- 
posed of quite a number of the large bricks, 
such as were made for that purpose in Eeth- 
Ichem in those days, and specimens of which 
may yet be seen by the curious on the en- 
tries of the first floor of the " Sister's House." 

In the first volume of the Memorials of the 
Moravian Church, page 230, it is stated, 
'• the Indian House" that had been built in 
October, 1752, on the west bank of the Ma- 
nokasy, for the entertainment of visitors 
from Gnadenhuetten and elsewhere, just 
above the stone bridge that crosses the creek 
at Water Street. It was 52 by 40 feet, of one 
story, and of stone; and yet within those 
narrow limits " ike above scventi/ who escaped" 
were domiciled. In the summer of 175C, a 
log-house, 63 by 15 feet, containing a chapel, 
besides apartments, was built due south of 
the other. * * ■■- It was removed in the 
early part of the present century. The 
spring that empties into the creek immedi- 
ately above the bridge, rose then in the cel- 
lar of the " Indian House," 

The spring referred to is a curiosity; it 
rises, or rather the water bubbles up from 
the bottom of the Manokasy into a well form- 
ed of planking in the bed of the creek, which 



keeps the clear cold waters of the spring 
from mingling with the waters of the stream. 
Some good Samaritan keeps a tin cup placed 
on a post near by, so that the thirsty travel- 
lers may drink of the cooling waters and be 
refreshed. 

As a specimen of the splendid barns erect- 
ed by the Germans of Pennsylvania, that of 
Mr. Krause, above referred to, is a fair sam- 
ple in size and color : 

These large red barns always remind mc 
of the story about the Fairmount Engine of 
Philadelphia. At one of the Company's 
meetings, preparatory for a grand parade of 
the Firemen, a discussion was entered into 
as to what color the "FAIRY" should be 
painted for the occasion. One of the mem- 
bers, a genuine B'/ioi/, arose and said : " Fel- 
lers, I'm willin' to paint hor any color, so 
its red." 

The bodies of the Hessians who died in the 
General Hospital of the American army at 
Bethlehem during the Revolution, were bur- 
ied on the left hand, or south side of the road 
leading to AUentown, and on the west side 
of the Manokasy ; the place of their inter- 
ment is now partially covered by the barn 
and house of Mr. John Krause. Many re- 
mains were found while digging the founda- 
tion of the barn ; they were decently gath- 
ered up and carefully buried elsewhere. The 
statement made before, that these remains 
were found on the right hand side of the 
the road in digging the foundation of levin 
J. Krause's barn (a son of the venerable John 
Krause) is an error, growing out of the fact 
that the father's barn is on one side of the 
road, and the son's on the other. The re- 
mains of the American soldiers are buried 
on the ri(jht hand side of the road, opposite, 
but further west. 

The Indian converts spoken of as residing 
for awhile in Bethlehem, were chiefly of the 
Delawares, or the Zenni Lenape trihe, i. e., the 
" Original people," as they have always call- 
ed themselves. The only remnant of this 
once great and powerful tribe, whose sub- 
servience to the Six Kalioiis has always been 
a great mystery to all interested in the Red 



B E T II L E U E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



14; 



men, now live at Moraviahtown, or New 
rail-field, on the river Thames, in Upper 
Canada, seventy miles from Detroit, a place 
made memorahle by the death of the cele- 
brated /S/iawiiee Chief, TEcnsisEH, shot to death 
there in (he Eattle of the Thames by Col. 
r.ichard M. Johnson, now deceased, late 
Vice President of the United States. Tecum- 
sch, at the time of his death, was about 40 
years of age, six feet in height, erect and 
lofty in his deportment, with a penetrating 
eye, and stern of visage, artful, insidious and 
bold. He was the pride of the Indian war- 
riors of the west. 

This, and two others, are the only Mission- 
ary establishments of the Moravian Breth- 
ren among the American Indians. The Mis- 
sion was formerly under the direction of the 
Rev. Abraham Luckenbach. They worship 
from printed books in the Delaware Indian 
tongue, translated by that Missionary. 

I have in my library a book, printed in 
New York in 1S38, the title of which is 
•^ Forty-six Select Scripture Narratives from the 
Old Testament, embellished with Engravings ; for 
the use of Indian Yputh. Translated into the 
Delaware Indian bt/ A. Luckenbach" 

The Rev. E. E. Eeinke is the present Mis- 
sionary in charge of the Station. One of 
the other Indian Mission Stations is among 
the Cherokecs, at Spring Place, near Marys- 
ville, Arkansas; and the third at New West- 
field, Kansas. A concise account of the past 
and presentMissions of the Moravian Breth- 
ren among the American Indians can be 
found in De Schweinitz's Moravian Manual, 
(2nd Editic,n) page 44, &e. 

Crantz, in his History of the Brethren, 
says, (page SGS) "About this time, (1747) 
John, the first fruits of, and a teacher among 
tlie Mahihanders, departed this life. This 
gave occasion to reckon up all the first fruits 
of the heathen that were brought to Jesus 
Christ through the ministry of the Brethren, 
and, to the year 1747, were fallen asleep in 
the faith; and to represent them in a pic- 
ture in their natural colors, and in the dress 
of their country. They are painted as stand- 
ing before the throne of Jesus Christ with 



palms in their hands, given to them by an 
angel, with the superscription out of the 
Revelations, Chap, xiv., 4. ' The^e were re- 
deemed from among men, beiny the first fiui's.' " 

The names of all the converts — heathen in 
all parts of the world — represented in the 
picture are given, and the account is of much 
interest. This ancient painting is carefully 
preserved among the Church Archives at 
Bethlehem. It was the work of IIaidt, a 
Moravian artist; a valuable relic of the olden 
times, and of the success attending the Mo- 
ravian Missions among the heathen. 

There is now on exhibition in the Museum 
of the " Y'oung Men's Missionary Society" of 
Bethlehem, a splendid painting of " Zeisber- 
ger — the Moravian Missionary — preaching to 
the Indians," by C. Schiissele, of Philadel- 
phia. 

There was formerly many lovely walks 
in the vicinity of Bethlehem, on the banks 
of the Lehigh, some of which have been al- 
ready described ; but none were more at- 
tractive than the upper and lower paths on 
the south side of the river, west of the old 
bridge ; these extended to the brook running 
down by the Water Cure Establishment, and 
emptying into the Lehigh; and around which 
there reigned an undisturbed forest stillness. 
The spring was a favorite spot near which 
to loiter on a warm summer's day; now 
it is arched over, and the hundred trains of 
the Lehigh Valley Railroad daily thunder 
over what was once the quiet haunt of the 
old Moravians; yet the stream still trickles 
down to the Lehigh ; a few noble forest trees 
rear their heads over the small reservoir be- 
side the tract on the river bank ; and the 
curious visitors who read about the beauties 
of the spot in days long past, visits in one of 
Fah's boats the spring, to taste of its cool and 
limpid waters, hunt for the remains of the 
famous cavern, and view the ruins of what 
was once a sylvan haunt of peculiar loveli- 
ness. 

Of all the former quiet retreats around 
Bethlehem, the only one left to remind us 
of the old times, are the beautiful and fa- 
mous "Islands" in the Lehigh, a short dis- 



14(3 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



taiice above the North Pennsylvania Rail- 
road Bridge. There are three Islands in the 
group ; the two smaller are seldom visited ; 
but the larger, Cnh/pm Jsland,-' is a famous 
place of resort for old and young; every visi- 
tor to Bethlehem makes the necesjary jjil- 
griniage to its quiet shades, and lingers long 
beneath its grand old shady trees, wanders 
through its open glades, its sheltered coverts, 
and at last with lingering looks cast behind, 
siglis to think they must leave so much quiet 
loveliness of Nature. What a hidden, quiet 
place it must have been fifty years ago, we 
can well imagine, when it is so beautiful 
to-day, although to the north and to the 
south the screaming whistles of the loco- 
motives, and the heavy thundering thud of 
laden cars, bearing the wealth of Lehigh 
Valle}^, and the treasures of the" Blue Hills" 
to a market, disturbs its former calm repose. 
The Island belongs to the Bethlehem con- 
gregation, and it is there that the Moravian 
schools hold their annual Pic Nic's, and 
nearly every Moravian family take their an- 
nual meal on the Island, to which their 
friends are invited, and only those who have 
attended these kindly festivals of the Breth- 
ren, can tell how pleasant they are, or how 
dear is the remembrance of sucli quiet, hap- 
py, joyous hours. To the children these .are 
periods of unalloyed joy, thought of for 
weeks beforehand, and enjoyed on the 
day of the festival, with games and song, 
laughter and childish shouts of pleasure, 
mingling their happiness with the rippling 
How of the river, and awakening the echoes 
of the hills. And tlie parents and friends 
must be old indeed if they do not join 
in all the youthful sports, for our German 
Brethren do not look on and sigh over 
the pleasures of childhood, but enjoy tlie 
present while recalling the past. But the 
great event of the year is the annual PicNic 
of the Sunday Scliools of tlie Bethlehem con- 
gregation. On that day every true hearted 
Moravian visits the Island; it is an occasion 

*Tlie name of the larger Tslaml is properly Cai/rljKi, 
not Citlypso, and \v.ig so CJilIeii !>y tlio oUi Moravian?, 
from the great number of Catnlpu trees which were 
thea, and still are growing, upon it. 



of innocent enjoyment for old and young, and 
those who care not to play, can talk, feast, 
drink coffee, row in the boats on the river, 
or recall together with their old friends the 
past days spent on the Island. An evening 
on the Lehigh, after a day at the Island, has 
its charms, floating lazily on' the river, sur- 
rounded by our friends, music and song 
naturally following ; such are the happy mo- 
ments of life. The charms of Bethlehem's 
Islands, and the beauties of the Lehigh, are 
still unsung; but the dear remembrance of 
hours passed there are engraven on the 
memory of many with an impression that 
can never be effaced, but will remain a joy 
forever. 

The following items are copied from Tlte 
Weehhj Prorjrcsa, of South Bethlehem, August 
18th, ISTO : 

" The CniLPREN's Festiv.vl. — On Sunday 
next, the ' Children's Choir' of the Moravian 
ciiurch, will celebrate their festival accord- 
ing to a time honored custom yearly observ- 
ed from the earliest days of Moravianism 
to the present time. Each distinct ' choir' 
of the church celebrate their festivals at dif- 
ferent periods during the year, being divid- 
ed thus ; first, the ' Married Choir,' to which 
liave been combined in later years the 'wid- 
ower's* and 'Widows' Choir,' ' Single Sisters' 
' Single Brethren,' ' Children's' and ' Dieners' 
— or ' Servants of the Church,' — all celebrat- 
ing tlieir respective festivals with a* Love 
Feast.' Several of the festival days of the 
cliurch are being observed during the pres- 
ent mouth. The ' Gemein Fest,' or ' Love 
Feast', for all 'choirs' or classes of the con- 
gregation united, having been celebrated 
last Sunday afternoon preparatory to Com- 
munion services held in the evening, and at- 
tended by communicant members of the 
church only. Next Sunday the children will 
celebrate their love feast in the afternoon, 
and in the evening the beautiful and at- 
tractive open air exercises will be held at 
the west end of the large Moravian church 
immediately after the evening services have 
ended within the sanctuary. These open air 
services consist entirely of singing selections 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



147 



of such anthems and hymns, which have 
been committed to memory by all members 
of the congregation, the officiating clergy 
merely giving out the opening lines. A full 
attendance of instrumental and vocal music 
by the Moravian Church Choir is also given 
on this occasifln, which renders the effect 
more soul inspiring and impressive, blend- 
ing in sweet unison with hundreds of youth- 
ful voices out in the free open air of a calm 
and quiet Sabbath evening. In former years 
lighted lanterns of paper in variegated col- 
ors were strung up in front of the singers, 
which added considerably to the effect, but 
the custom has been abandoned. The sim- 
]ile and beautiful ceremonies on Sunday 
evening next, should the weather prove i>ro- 
pitious, will be largely attended, as they 
have been in the past, bj- various denomina- 
tions within and without the limits of our 
town." 

" The Island.— The ' Old Bethlehem Is- 
land,' or 'Calypso,' as it is perhaps more 
familiarly known by hundreds of visitors to 
Bethlehem, has this year been more fre- 
quently visited by Moravian families, and 
members of families of other denominations 
of this place, than has been the ease for the 
last few years. "We think no better enjoy- 
ment, for one day in theheatof summer, can 
be better appreciated, than by members of a 
family, or a group of friends congregating in 
good old pic nic fashion in this cool, shady 
and secluded spot. 

Above the " Old Bridge," leading west, are 
yet to be seen traces of a handsome walk, 
that leads along the banks of the Lehigh 
to a fine grove of trees. The path formerly 
extended a mile or more along the stream, 
and a walk along the tow-path of the Lehigh 
Canal as far as the first lock above Bethle- 
hem, shows the visitor how beautiful the 
promenade once was, and how charming the 
scene still is. Along the edge of the swiftly 
flowing river grow fine large tree of various 
kinds, but many of these were blown down 
in a terrific gale in the summer of 1869. The 
disastrous flood on the Lehigh, of June oth, 
1862, brought down the river large quanti- 



ties of drift timber, trees, houses, and canal 
boats, these destroyed the walk, left by the 
erection of the canal ; wounded the fine old 
trees along the water's edge by striking and 
tearing off the bark, so that now some old 
patriarch yields to every severe gale, and 
soon none will be left, for all were injured 
more or less, about twenty feet from the 
ground, and the large scars on their sides 
give evidence of internal decay. Many new 
trees had been planted to the north of the 
pathway, and in the grove. Seats were 
placed on the river side of the walk for the 
jiromenaders to rest upon, but all these were 
damaged or carried away by the flood. In 
1868, the bridge connecting the North Penn, 
as it is called, and the Lehigh and Susque- 
hanna Railroads was built diagonally 
across the river, completing the destruction 
of the Path; and in the grove where the 
younger trees that had been uninjured by the 
flood, were growing beautifully, they are 
now lauding from canal boats, sandstone 
curb-stones, and cutting them on the ground. 
It is thus all the beautiful walks around 
Bethlehem have been era,dicated by com- 
bined attacks from land and water. It was 
along this path, in the river, that in former 
times were moored the pleasure boats, own- 
ed by nearly every Moravian family, each 
gaily painted aud bearing on the stern some 
historic name; now few are left, except 
those of Mr. Fahs, who hires his boats out 
by the hour to such as desire to visit the 
" Islands," or row on the river. 

The Lehigh is a broad and shallow stream 
of clear, cold water, flowing over a rocky 
bed, from springs in the different spurs of 
the Blue Ridge mountains, in Luzerne coun- 
ty, near "Wilksbarre, and flows one hundred 
miles to its entrance into the Delaware at 
Easton. In its upper part it is a rapid, 
mountainous stream, with many falls; and 
like all others of a like character, is subject 
to floods after all heavy rains. The destruc- 
tive flood of June 5th, 1862, was not the first 
by any means, that caused great suffering to 
the inhabitants along its banks, aud destroy- 
ed much valuable property, but it was the 



148 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



most severe ; at Bethlehem the water rose 
to the height of twenty-one feet, and the 
back-water flowed up the Manockasy to the 
mill dam back of the " Eagle Hotel;" it tore 
away one half of the northern portion of the 
' Old Bridge" over the Lehigh, and covered 
the "Islands" with sand, logs, trees, and all 
kinds of debris, to the height of twelve or 
fifteen feet, so that it took over a year to 
clear them off again; it entirely devastated 
the upper end of Calypso Island, leaving 
only a sand bank, where once had been 
beautiful trees, waving grasses, and lovely 
wild flowers. It will be many years before 
the slow growth of Nature restores the island 
to its pristine beauty. 

The mode of catching fish in the Lehigh 
in olden times, is thus described in the South 
Jjethleliem Cuuservative : 

" The mode of catching fish was borrow- 
ed from the Indians. The Indians ran a 
dam of stones across the stream where the 
depth would admit of it, not in a straight 
line, but in two parts, verging towards each 
other in an angle. An opening is left at the 
point in the middle for the water to run ofl' 
— at this opening they place a large box or 
basket, the bottom of which was full of holes. 
They then make a rope of wild vines, reach- 
ing across the stream, upon which boughs 
some feet in length were fastened at the dis- 
tance of two fathoms from each other. Then 
a party is sent about a mile above the dam 
with this rope and appendages, which there 
begins to move gently down the current, 
some guiding the ends while others keep the 
branches from sinking by supporting the 
rope in the middle with wooden forks. Thus 
they proceed, driving the fish before them, 
while other Indians with poles and noise 
drive the fish through the opening into the 
box, where they were caught and put into 
canoes. This method of fishing was adopted 
and long continues by the settlers. Strang- 
ers often inquire what these angular stone 
dams are for, and few are aware that they 
are the remains of the ancient fish dams, re- 
paired time and again, by the fishermen of 
modern times. 



" Various laws were passed before the Eevo- 
lutionary War, tending to the preservation 
of the fish in the Delaware and Lehigh Riv- 
ers ; one of which had a singular penalty at- 
tached — in subjecting the seller of rockfish 
under twelve inches iu lengtli, to a fine and 
the forfeiture of the fish. In the early period 
of the settlement along the Lehigh, before 
the erection of dams to render it available 
for the transportation of coal to Philadelphia, 
it was the resort of shad, which found their 
way from the ocean up into iis fresh waters 
to deposit their spawn. 

The Lehigh in the vicinity of Bethlehem, 
has many of these fish-weirs, or fish-korps, 
built in difierent parts of the stream ; they 
are formed by long dams built with the nu- 
merous pebble stones which form the bed of 
the river. A line of stones are erected diago- 
nally across the stream, from each bank, 
down the river, and converging to a point, 
in the manner described above, where the 
weir is placed to catch the fish; the weir 
resembles in form the body of a cart, the 
hinder part up stream, and the bottom form- 
ed of lathes, placed close together, so as to ad- 
mit of the water passing freely, but retain- 
ing in it the fish. In the spring and fall 
large numbers of suclcers and fth are caught 
in these weirs. But the dams on the Lehigh 
and these fish-korps have destroyed all 
other kinds of fish; and there is nothing to 
be caught by the angler on the river, ex- 
cept some small chub and sun-fish, and an 
occasional stray trout. 'When Bethlehem 
was first sett'ed, and for many years after- 
wards, trout were plenty in the Lehigh and 
Manockasy, and in season, shad and herring 
were numerous, there was a fishery near 
the town and on the 10 th of May, 1752, for in- 
stance, 1,000 shad were caught with the 
seine. Now these kinds of fish are not to be 
found in the river at all ; the dam at Easton 
interrupts their upward course from the 
Delaware. The people living on the Lehigh 
ought to petition the legislature of the State 
for an Act, compelling those who have ob- 
structed the course of the stream, to put up 
schutes, slopes or steps, at the breast of every 



B E T n L E U E M, P E X X S Y L V A N I A. 



149 



dam erected on the river, to facilitate the 
free passage of the fish up stream to spawn, 
and their return to the ocean afterwards; 
and to remove th<! fish-weirs, or fish-baskets. 
Such an Act has been already passed, rela- 
tive to the Susquehanna river, since when, 
the shad, herring, and many other kinds of 
fish have returned in large numbers to that 
stream to spawn. A great many counties 
have also had protective acts passed in re- 
gard to game and fish, and it is time Lehigh 
and Northampton followed suit. 

The Act referred to, that of March 1.3th, 
18G6, (See Pamphlet Laws of 1S66, page 370,) 
and its supplements, are very stringent; in 
general terms the provisions of the law are, 
that there shall be made at all dams, or 
weirs, or other artificial obstructions in the 
river, sluices, schutes, slopes, steps or other 
devices, for the free passage of the fish, and 
their fry up and down the stream. The 
dams are to be deemed nuisances unless the 
devices are made, and a failure to comply 
with the conditions of the Act is to be deem- 
ed a misdemeanor and subjects the owner to 
a fine of $10,000; and it is made unlawful 
for any person or persons to place any fish- 
basket, fish-trap, or any like device, either 
permanent or temporary across the river, or 
to draw any seine or net within half a mile 
of any of the sluices made for the passage of 
the fish, either above or below the same, or 
to fish with any seine or other device for 
catching fish in numbers, within a given dis- 
tance mentioned, of the sluices or passage- 
ways over the dams, or in any manner to 
frighten the fish, or spawn, (?) or fry, or in 
any manner to prevent their passage up or 
down the stream in any part thereof, under 
the penalty of a heavy fine, of not more than 
S1,000, and imprisonment not exceeding one 
year, at the option of the court. Some of the 
counties make it unlawful to fish their streams 
at certain seasons ; others to fish otherwise 
than with a hook and line ; and some put a 
heavy fine on the use of poisonous bait, cast 
nets, or any other device to catch the fish in 
numbers. The right of fishery, over half a 
mile from the schutes, is not taken away by 



Act of March 13th, 1S66, from the owners of 
real estate bordering on the Susquehanna. 

On the 16th day of April, 1S58, an Act of 
Assembly was passed prohibiting fishing 
with gill-neta in the river Lehigh, between 
Bethlehem and its junction with the Dela- 
ware at Easton, (See Pamphlet Laws of ISoS, 
page 305.) During the session of 1S69-70, I 
endeavored to get the legislature to pass a 
Bill for the protection of the fish in the Le- 
high river, for the removal of ih&finh horps, 
and the erection of sluices or fish passages 
over the dams; but it was objected to. First, 
on the grounds that it would be impossible 
to raise fish in the Lehigh, as the sulphur 
water from the coal mines destroyed the 
fish; but as they are caught daily in the 
river that objection is evidently subsersvient 
to the Second: That the Lehigh Navigation 
Company would not like it. 

The cobble stones with which the "cart- 
ways" of the streets of the city of Philadel- 
phia are paved, were, and still are taken 
from the beds of the rivers Delaware and 
Lehigh, without any perceptible diminution 
of the quantities contained in them. The 
stones are rounded and water-worn into many 
curious shapes, such as geese eggs, bird's 
eggs, cannon balls, and marbles. I have 
one the size and shape of a loaf of domestic 
rye bread just out of the oven, with the 
marks of the pan, in which it was baked, 
apparently marked on it; and another in 
the form and likeness of a a jewel case, for 
which it is often mistaken, as it lies on my 
table for use as a paper weight. 

The Lehigh Canal which passes through 
the lower part of the town of Bethlehem, 
formerly connected the head waters of the 
Lehigh river, with its mouth at Easton, 
where it empties into the river Delaware, 
and by the means of dams, looks, and canals, 
navigation was open to White Haven, in 
Luzerne County, eighty-four and a half 
miles; thirty and a half miles consisted of 
pools ; thirty-nine and a quarter of canals ; 
two and a half of locks, and the remainder 
of sluices. The freshet of June 5th, 1862, de- 
stroved all the canal, most of the dams, and 



150 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



all the improvements above Mauch Chunk; 
and the canal now only extends from that 
jilace to Easton. It forms a most important 
communication with the coal regions of this 
section of the State, to which railroads are 
continued. At Lehigh Gap, where it passes 
through the Blue Ridge, the mountains rise 
on each side of the river to the height of 
1200 feet, and the scene is very grand and 
Ijeautiful. 

The Blue Ridge, or South Mountains, are 
the eastern range of the Alleghanies, branch- 
ing off from the main range in North Caro- 
lina, crossing the State of Virginia and ex- 
tending to the Highlands on the Hudson 
river. The Indian name of these mountains 
in Pennsylvania was the Kittocktinny , now 
called A'i'Hafiiin^, meaning the endless moun- 
tains. The common name they now bear is 
the Blue Mountains. 

Mauch Chunk has been called by some 
writers, " the Switzerland of Tennsylvania," 
which means that it is well worthy the visit 
of the tourist. The ride over the Gravity 
Railroad, or " the Sioitch-back" as it it called, 
although there are no switch-backs on the 
Railroad now, is one of the most exciting 
and beautiful rides in America. At the foot 
of 3Iou)U Pisgah, the visitors enter small 
passenger cars, each holding twelve persons, 
and the cars are drawn up the ascent by a 
stationary engine on the top of the moun- 
tain. This plane is a formidable looking 
affair, the track seeming to be nearly per- 
pendicular; it is 2,322 feet in length, with 
an elevation in that distance of 664 feet. A 
tliarjy grade, railroad men call it. Every jire- 
caution is taken to prevent accidents; the 
train is pushed up by a safely car fastened 
behind it; the conductor sits on the front 
car, where he mans a patent safety brake. 
The safety car is made fast to two steel bands, 
each seven and a half inches wide, either 
strong enough to hold and draw the train, 
which never exceeds ten cars; should both 
bands break, the safety car has attached to 
it two immense steel arms with sharp points, 
which, an arrangement made for the purpose 
releases from their horizontal position on the 



side of the car, should it start backwards 
these points would then enter the earth and 
keep the train stationary. These arms are 
also assisted by a rachet provided for the same 
purpose, to prevent the descent of the train 
in ease it should break loose. This ascent 
takes eight minutes. Mount Pisgah is 1000 
feet above the bed of the Lehigh river at its 
foot. The view from the mountain top is 
very fine, extending on a clear day to School- 
ey's Mountains in New Jersey. From here 
the train starts on the gravity road, on a 
down grade of fifty feet to the mile ; after a 
swift and exhilarating ride of six miles, the 
foot of Mount Jefferson is reached. The 
ascending jilane here is 2,070 feet long, over- 
coming a height of 462 feet. The train is 
again attached to a safety car, and drawn up 
to the top of the mountain, 1,144 feet above 
the Lehigh ; and after a short ride of a mile, 
the cars arrive at Summit Hill, a dreary- 
looking town of 7000 inhabitants, with a dis- 
mal Town Hall, which looks like a French 
Bastile. The once celebrated switch-back 
railroad begins here, and runs through Pan- 
ther Creek Valley to the many diflTerent coal 
mines. Leaving here, the cars descend at 
the rate of 221 feet to the mile. The descent 
was formerly made by switch-back changes 
from one track to another, but now the track 
is continuous ; instead of a switch-back the 
cars are carried around a curve by their own 
momentum. At the bottom of the Valley 
the train generally stops long enough to 
permit the passengers to visit the coal 
breakers and the mines. The grade of the 
track through the valley is sixty feet to the 
mile. The immense mountains of useless 
coal dust fill the visitor with surprise and 
regret ; it is to be hoped that some inventive 
genius will soon suggest a mode by which 
this can be used with profit, so as to enable 
it to be transported to a market; it is a great 
waste and loss at present, and gives a dreary 
look to the valley where these mounds are 
piled up, killing the trees, and causing the 
creeks to run streams as black as ink. 
Leaving here, the train soon reaches the 
foot of Panther Creek Plane No. 2, 2,030 feet 



B E T II L E II K JI, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



151 



in length, with au elevation of 2jO feet; be- 
ing drawn up this, the cars go several miles 
further by gravity, through mining villages, 
and past mounds of coal dust to Panther 
Creek Plane No. 1, in length 2,436 feet, with 
an elevation to be overcome of 375 feet. Af- 
ter ascending this plane, the train arrives 
again at Summit Hill, having made a circuit 
of eight miles. It was near here that coal 
was first discovered by a man named Gon- 
TIIER, in 1V91; and it was also here that the 
first mine was worked by the Lehigh Coal 
and Navigation Company. They supplied 
the market without opposition till 1847. 
From Summit Hill the cars run by gravity 
nine miles back to Mauch Chunk, without 
any stoppage; that distance has been madein 
thirteen minutes. The cars descending on 
an acquiring impulse of a down grade, aver- 
aging ninety-six feet to the mile. The train, 
however, seldom makes the distance in less 
than thirty minutes, giving the passengers 
time to enjoy the beautiful distant views, 
and magnificent scenery all along the route. 
One of the coal mines near Panther Creek 
Valley, has been on fire now for over thirty 
years, and all efforts to extinguish it have 
failed. As an effort of engineering skill the 
jjlanes are unsurpassed, but I am at a loss to 
understand why the fact that the cars de- 
scending the grades by the impulse of their 
own weight, or in other words, run down hill 
rapidly, is considered so very wonderful a 
feat. The ride, however, up the planes, 
down the grades, over the mountains, and 
through the coal regions, is one no visitor to 
Bethlehem should miss; the trip can be 
made in a day without fatigue, leaving that 
place at seven and a half A. m., and returning 
at six p. M. to supper, which will be very 
heartily enjoyed, and the day's trip will be an 
episode in the most adventurous life. A few 
years more and all this cannot be seen or en- 
joyed, as it is the intention of the Company 
to cut atunnel through the mountain ; it will 
be 3,900 feet in length, and the work has al- 
ready been commenced. 

The Moravian, in its issueof January 20th, 
1870, had the following interesting item. 



" The Statititjion Xews reports the re-discov- 
ery of a valuable mineral spring, about a 
mile from Lehigh Gap, and four miles from 
Slatington. The spring was known to the 
Moravians at Gnadenhiitten a hundred years 
ago, and the water was hauled to Philadel- 
phia at one time, to cure au epidemic which 
was then raging in that city. Dr. H. 0. Wil- 
son, by means of an old draft, succeeded in 
again finding the spring, which had been 
quite covered with stones and earth. The 
spring is marked on the original map of the 
Province of Pennsylvania, made by Nicho- 
las Scull, Surveyor General, in the year 1759. 
Dr. Franklin mentions having camped at 
this spring on his way to Fort Allen. The 
plot of the property on which it is situated, 
contains a certificate from Thos. C. James, 
dated Philadelphia, February 24th, 1806, in 
which the statement is made that the water 
is "a pure Chalybeate, the iron being held 
in solution by carbonic acid and fixed air.' " 

In the first volume of the "Memorials of 
the Moravian Church," issued at Philadel- 
phia, in 1870, at page 30 it is stated that, 
" This spring was visited as early as 1746, by 
the Brethren, and its waters bottled by them 
for the use of invalids in Philadelphia." 

One evening, in the latter part of August, 
1863, we had on the supper-table at the 
Eagle Hotel, in Bethlehem, an infusion of 
"American tea." This tea was made from 
the leaves of a plant, or shrub, which is in- 
digenous on the mountain's side, in the. 
vicinity of the town, and in other parts of 
the State; it has been sometimes called 
" New Jersey tea," and was so named when 
used during the Revolutionary War of 1776, 
as a substitute for the Chinese tea, which 
was then an expensive luxury; it is still 
used by many persons in the country, who 
consider it quite equal to the imported arli- 
cle. I am informed that it is prepared in 
Massachusetts in large quantities, and sold 
to whaling ships: it consists, however, only 
of the dried leaves, which are not properly 
prepared. The botanical name of this plant 
is Ceanothus Americamts. 

The tea which we drank was, however. 



11 



IIISTOKICAL SKKTCII OF 



made secundum artem^ ill the true Chinese 
style ; that being the only way in which the 
real virtues of the leaf can be retained in 
perfection. It had all the apijearance, taste, 
and aroma of tlie finest imported tea, with 
the exception of a slight herby flavor, in 
consequence of its newness, not being quite 
three weelis old. This peculiarity, we were 
informed, would leave it when it acquired 
age. 

A choice sample of this tea was deposited 
in the Museum of the "Young Men's Mis- 
sionary Society," in Bethlehem, for preserva- 
tion, as a specimen of the first and finest 
American Tea ever manufactured. 

This tea was made by Dr. Spencer Bonsall 
in the early part of August, 1863, at a p'ace 
called " China," in the mountains, near Lock 
Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, un- 
der the auspices of the " American Tea Com- 
pany," incorporated by an Act of Assembly 
of this Commonwealth, of April 14th, 1863, 
which had for its object the cultivation and 
manufacture of tea on an extensive scale. 
At the time the tea manufactured was made. 
Dr. Bonsall was the Chief Superintendent of 
that company, but the undertaking was not 
successful. That gentleman was for several 
years engaged in the manufacture of tea in 
the Valley of Assatit, situated to the west of 
the Province of Yanuwi, in China; and on 
his return to this country, he wrote an in- 
teresting article on the subject, which was 
published in the Agricultural Report of the 
United States Patent OtEco, for the year 1S60. 

Prominent among the ancient relics and 
curiosities, so abundant in Bethlehem, there 
is one of which the citizens are very proud. 
It is the " Old Perseverance Hund Fire Enfjine" 
which is preserved, very properly, with 
much care. It is one of the oldest appara- 
tus of the kind in this country, having 
been built in London, by Brooks, in the year 
1C9S, and was purchased there by Captain 
Christian Jacobson for the " American Mo- 
ravian Society," for the sum of £7" 12«. 2d., 
and brought by him to America at an ex- 
pense of £6 18«. 3t/., and delivered in Bethle- 
hem Decembei 10th, 1703. It is nut, how- 



ever, the oldest hand engine in the United 
States, for the *' Fellowsldp Steam Fire Engine 
Cumpany" of Philadelphia, have an old Hand 
Fire Engine, six foot long, and five and a 
half feet high to the top of the gallery, which 
runs on wooden wheels, and can throw a 
stream of water through a three-quarter inch 
nozzle, one hundred and fifteen feet high. It 
was made in London, by Ham & Eag, in the 
year 1C04, and is, therefore, four years older 
than the Old Perseverance. Nor was the 
Perseverance the first Hand engine import- 
ed into the United States ; for the City Coun- 
cils, of Philadelphia, imported two Hand En- 
gines from London in 1730, where they were 
first invented in 1663. And previously, on 
14th of December, 1719, the city purchased 
from Abraham Bickley, a Fire Engine, which 
was also, no doubt, imported from England. 
See Weseott's History of Philadelphia, Chap- 
ter 66, Sunday Dispatch of April 5th, 1868. 

The Perseverance Fire Engine Company, 
No. 1, of Bethlehem, was re-organized in 
1848. They have also a fine Hand Fire En- 
gine, made by Agnew, of Philadelphia, and 
an excellent Hose Carriage. 

The first hose used in Bethlehem was 
made of hemp, and was brought from Ger- 
many, in 1S18. The first leather hose was 
purchased by the Ecliance Fire Company, 
No. 3, in 1838 ; this latter company had the 
first Hose Carriage in the town. The only 
other Fire Company is the " Diligent Steam 
Fire Engine Companj', No. 2." 

There is also in the town a handsome 
Hook and Ladder Company, called "The 
Niskey." 

The Borough authorities own all these 
difiereut fire apparatus but one. 

Bethlehem is well supplied with Hotels, 
of which the " Sun," and " Eagle" have al- 
ready been described; there still remains 
unnoticed the " American," situated at the 
north-east corner of Broad and New Streets, 
the highest elevation in the town. It is a 
fine large building, formerly a private house, 
but with very extensive back buildings now 
added to it; its rooms are quite large and 
airy, and the view of the surrounding coun- 



BETIILEnEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



153 



try from the windows of the ujjper stories of 
the house is very fine; from them the entire 
range of the Blue Mountains is distinctly 
visihle. The scene from the top of the 
house, at sunset, on a summer's evening, 
presents a panorama of exceeding heauty. 

The " Union Ilotel" is situated one square 
further east, at the north-east corner of Broad 
and Centre Streets. It is a fine, large house, 
and seems to be the resort of the people from 
the surrounding country, whilst on their 
visits to the town ; in fact, a veritable coun- 
try tavern, in all its outward surroundings. 

The " Penns}'lvania Hotel" is a large brick 
building, on the banks of the Lehigh Canal, 
in what was formerly called " Old South 
Bethlehem," in Lehigh County; the road in 
front of the house runs along the banks of 
the Lehigh, and leads to the old Bethlehem 
bridge, over which all travel passes to reach 
the " Union Depot" of the " North Penn and 
Lehigh Valley Railroads." 

There is also a good House kept by Mr. 
oonn Schilling, in the north-western part of 
the town, attached to which there is a fine 
Lager Beer Brewery, and if you wish to 
taste that article in all its purity, you must 
go to " Schilling's." 

There are several Restaurants and Ice 
Cream Saloons in the town, which do quite 
a large local business. " Eauch's" is the 
favorite resort of all strangers and people of 
the town who desire to enjoy Ice Cream and 
cakes. It was in this House that Lafayette 
lived whilst in Bethlehem. In the saloon 
there is a small fountain, whose marble ba- 
sin is surrounded always by flowers, kept 
fresh by the falling spray of the flowing 
stream, which is continually thrown up ; it 
is a tasty little affair, and attracts universal 
attention and admiration. Mr. Ambroise K. 
Ranch, the owner of this large confectionary 
establishment, resides in a fine old mansion 
on Market Street near Main; attached to 
which he has a handsome conservatory fill- 
ed with rare and beautiful flowers and plants. 
And although there are many fine, large 
stores of all kinds in the town, where all the 
necessary comforts and luxuries of life can 



be obtained, there are no market houses, 
either public or private, in the place, and 
the inhabitants are compelled to buy their 
meats from the butcher wagons that drive 
around each day, and their poultry, butter 
and eggs from the farmers, or from the 
stores, where such things are taken in trade, 
as is usual in our country towns. There are 
some small " Provision stores," where veg- 
etables only are sold. The town does not 
need market houses so much as provision 
stores where everything necessary for the 
table could be kept for sale. The expenses 
of living in Bethlehem, before the Rebellion, 
were very moderate; but for the last few 
years they have been nearly equal to those of 
a city life. 

The streets of Bethlehem are lighted by 
gas, but the lights are extinguished at ten 
o'clock, p. M., a capital arrangement for 
thieves of all kinds. Until quite recently it 
was the boast of Bethlehemites, that they 
never hart more than one Watchman in the 
town at a time; those halcyon days are, 
alas! no more; the town has been divided 
into Wards ; they have now a High Consta- 
ble and several Policemen, whose presence 
seem to excite in the unruly a desire to keep 
them employed. In old times in this ancient 
borough, "the night-watch patrolled the 
town with a spear in his hand ;" this contin- 
ued till about the year 1804 or 1805. Rose 
was then the Watchman, who on leaving his 
beat in the morning, called, " Ber Glock hat 
Sechs Schlag," {. c, Die Glocke hat 6 geschla- 
geu ! Brother Rose superceded Brother Stolz 
in 1801, as Watchman." 

The streets were lighted at nights with 
lamps before the year ISOO, and so continu- 
ed to be until Thursday evening, July 13th 
1S54, when they were first lighted with gas. 
The expense of lighting with lamps was 
borne and paid by private subscription. The 
lights were put out at ten o'clock, as they 
still are. Each housekeeper had then, and 
still has, a lantern for use on dark nights. 

There are some queer old streets in the 
town, that branch off from the main thor- 
oughfares at an angle, winding around the 



154 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



hill-side, and ending very abruptly against 
it, or turn off by some unexpected outlet into 
another winding street or road, or by-path. 
Those streets were once evidently foot-paths 
in the earlier days of the settlement, and are 
on the western declivity of the hill on which 
the town is built, and nearly all lead down 
to the Manokasy. There are many pleasant 
old " short-cuts," or by-paths in other parts 
of the town. Market Street used to end at 
Jukn Oerter'a house, thence east a lane ex- 
tended, on both sides of which very large ap- 
ple trees were growing. Church Street for- 
merly ended at the "Sister's House;" and 
from there a lane called the " Sister's lane" 
extended eastwardly to Jtoth'n farm ; on both 
sides of this lane cherry trees were planted, 
which bore excellentfruit. Fruit trees of all 
sorts were more plentiful in those good old 
times than at present. Apple and cherry 
trees lire indigenous to America. 

Water Street was so swampy when the 
Tunner'a House was about to be erected, that 
it was necessary to lay large logs of wood on 
ihe surface, then stones, and earth on top of 
these, to form a firm sub-stratum on which 
to build the foundation walls; these were 
six feet thick, and immense labor was re- 
quired to complete the building. The whole 
vicinity then being a swampy wilderness, 
full of large rocks, brush and trees, amongst 
which the wildrose grew in greatabundance, 
a::d the "Cats-tails" so much used in mak- 
ing beds, in profusion. 

The splendid old willow trees, formerly 
growing near the Old Stone Bridge on the 
Manokasy, were cut down in January, 1855, 
to make way for the new stone one erected 
during that year. 

In olden times the inhabitants of Bethle- 
hem were early risers, as many of them still 
are, they took breakfast at six o'clock, and 
as they then all worked together, they were 
summoned to iheir meals by the church bell; 
at nine o'clock they had their malce-peacc, a 
light repast of Moravian cake and beer, on 
the principle of our hmcJi. The dinner hour 
was, and still is, twelve o'clock m. At two 
o'clock P.M., " Vesper," cake and coffee. At 



six p. M., supper. These customs are not yet 
abandoned by all the Moravians. 

The census of 1870 having been complet- 
ed, gives the population of Bethlehem and 
its suburbs as follows : 

Bethlehem, 4,512 

South Bethlehem, .... 3,556 
Old South Bethlehem and West 

Bethlehem, 890 

*nottlesville, 200 

Outside borough limits of South 

Bethlehem, 450 

Total, 9,C0S 

The Old Water Works, illustrated and 
mentioned before, were used during the 
Revolutionary War as a powder magazine 
for the American Army. 

The Lehigh Hills, where the Old Phila- 
delphia road crosses the mountains, is 430 
feet above low water mark on the Lehigh 
Eiver. The highest point of the mountain 
is 700 feet above low water mark of the river. 
The Canal level is 200 feet above the sea; 
and Market Street, at the corner of New 
Street, is 110 feet above the Canal. 

Bishop De Schweinitz, in his " Life and 
Times of David Zeisberger," in the glossary 
says, "the Indian name of Bethlehem was 
Mena-gach-suenk; of the Lehigh Eiver, Zcc/i- 
au-week; of Kazareth, Wela-ga-mika." See 
also Heckwelder's Indian names in the 
Bulletin of the Historical Society of P-'., 
1 vol., 121. 

Among the days formerly celebrated and 
made a holiday of in Bethlehem, was " May 
Day;" but of late years the weather has 
been unsuitable for out-door enjoyment; this 
A-ear, however, the weather was so delight- 
ful on the first of the month of flowers, that 
the Editor of the Moravian thus grieves "for 
the good old days of Adam and of Eve." 

" It has been many a year since we have 
had such delightful weather at this season 
as during the past three weeks. ' May Day' 

* nottlesTille is a new town that is erringingnp jast 
oiitside of the nortberu limits of tlie old boroufth of 
Belblehem ; from the Naz.ireth road westward, to tlie 
road leading to Bath. Pronounced Bass by the coun- 
try folks. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



155 



has got to be one of the things of the past, 
au imaginary season of flowers, warm ver- 
nal airs and sunshine, on which the young 
people kept holiday, and chose their queen, 
aud had a procession. This year the boys 
and girls might have celebrated it without 
any risk of catching colds or making them- 
selves ridiculous. Bethlehem used to have 
such a spring-flower festival, — a good many 
years ago it was, and many of the flower- 
crowned girls are now substantial matrons, 
with boys and girls uf their own old enough 
to go maying, and the grass has been grow- 
ing for many a year over the graves of oth- 
ers. But alas I with our railroads and mis- 
cellaneous other ' improvements,* the old vil- 
lage has grown into a miniature city, and 
who thinks of ' May Day' now?" 

In the Chapel of the Young Ladies' Semi- 
nary, I noticed this summer at the entertain- 
ment, that the bellows of the organ were 
blown by water pmoer, the machinery being 
the invention of the Principal, the Rev. 
Francis WoUe; and I noticed also that the 
organist was a very handsome woman. She 
is a "Single Sister," from Salem, North 
Carolina, I believe. 

The following Masonic Societies hold their 
regular meetings at the Masonic Hall, in 
Bethlehem, Pa. 

A. L. 5870, 
BETHLEHEM LODGE, 
No. 283, A. Y. M. 
Meets Wednesday, on or before Full Moon. 



OFFICERS. 

Bro. Morris A. Borhek, W. M. 
" Homer Stanley Goodwin, S. W. 
" Allen J. Lawall, J. "W. 
" Marcus C. Fetter, Treasurer. 
" Bernhard E. Lehman, Sec'y. 

PAST MASTERS, 
Samuel WetheriU, C. M. Knauss, 
Nathan Bartlett, Marciis C. Fetter, 

Jesse H. Morgan, Bernhard E. Lehman 
Ernst F. Bleck, Abraham Stout, M. D., 

Hichard W. Leibert, Adolph Conradi, 
Louis F. Beckel. 

Constituted 1854. 



A. I. 2400. 
ZINZENDORF CHAPTER. 

No. 216, H. R. A. M. 
Meets Second Monday of each Montli. 



OFFICERS. 
Comp. A. N. Leinbach, M. E. II. P. ; 
" C. C. Tombler, King; 
" H. A. "VViltberger, Scribe; 
" C. M. Knauss, Treasurer ; 
" Bernhard E. Lehman, Secretary. 



PAST HIGH PRIESTS. 
Jesse II. Morgan, Bernhard E. Lehman. 

CONSTITCTED 1868. 



ANNO DEP. 2870. 

BETHLEHEM COUNCIL. 
No. 36, R. S. E. and S. M. 

Meets First Thursday in each Month. 



OFFICERS. 

111. Comp. R. W. Leibert, T. I. G. M.; 

M. C. Fetter, D. I. G. M. ; 

" Jesse H. Morgan, P. C. of W. ; 

" C. M. Knauss, G. M. of Exch. ; 

" Theodore F. Levers, Recorder. 

PAST T. I. G. 31, 

Bernhard E. Lehman. 

CoNSTirnTED 1868. 

The town of Bethlehem was formerly 
within the limits of Bucks County; and on 
the 10th of March, 1746, the inhabitants pre- 
sented a petition to the court for the forma- 
tion of a township, which was granted ; al- 
though it was not surveyed and laid out 
until the year 1762. When it was done by 
Geohqe Golkowskv. The names of the pe- 
titioners were Nathaniel Seidel, Henhv 
Antes, John Bbownfield, Samuei. Powell, 
Matthias Weiss, John Okelt, Frederick 
Cammerhoff, George Neisser, Christopher 
Pyrlecs, James Bornside, Joseph Powell, 
Jasper Payne and Joseph Spangenberg. 

After the dissolution of the " JSconomy," 
in 1762, lots in Bethlehem were sold to the 
following individuals, each of whom erected 
dwellings thereon for the use of their famil- 
ies, via: 



156 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Andrew Borheck, Weaver; William Bueh- 
LER, Wheelwright ; LnowiG Huebner, Potter; 
Daniel Kdnkler, Shopkeeper; George Sbind- 
ler Carpenter; Francis Thvmas, Joiner; 
Dewali KoRNaAH, Skindresser. 



Some of the houses already erected by the 
Society, were also sold, Henry Kradse, 
Butcher, aiid Gottlieb Lange, Saddler, aud 
some others, each purchased a house. 



B E T n I, E n E jr, p e x x s y l v a k i a. 



157 




--%^ 



THE SINGLE BRETDREN's HOUSE.— 1S14. 

BETHLEnEM, PA. 



CHAPTER XV. 

MCSIC IN BETBLEnEH. 

^ji^ HE illustration at the head of this chap- 
ailb ter, presents a view of the "Single 
Brethren's House," as it appeared previous to 
the erection of the adjoining buildings, to 
the east and west, which now detract from 
its ancient appearance. It was made from 
a drawing es])ecially executed for this work, 
by my brother, William Martin, Jr. Origi- 
nally, the two entrance doors were put in 
the centre of the building ; because one-half 
of the house, (the eastern,) was intended for 
tlie *' Single Brethren," and the other half, 
(the western,) for the " Single Sisters." Ou 
the marble slab indicated over the doors, 
were the words : 

*' Voter Mutter tind Licher Mail 
Haht Freiul an unaerm JiiHtjUngs plan." 

"Father and Mother and "Worthy Man, 
Take pleasure in our Youthful plan." 



The inscription was put there when the 
house was erected in 1784. When it was 
plastered over is not known. The porch was 
taken away, and the doors changed to their 
presentposition about 1814, so say Jedidiah 
Weiss and Charles Schneller, two of the oldest 
inhabitants of Bethlehem. To the west <it 
the Brethren's House, there was a one-story 
stone building, used as a Hatter's Shop. 

In wandering about the town of Bethle- 
hem during a summer evening, the visitor 
to the place, is surprised, to hear the sound 
of a piano or some other musical instrument, 
issuing from nearly every house, no matter 
how unpretending its external appearance. 
The inhabitants say, however, that there is 
not as much attention given to music now 
as in former times, although it is still taught 
in all the schools. 

Mr. Rufus A. Grider, who may be justly 
styled one of the antic^uarians of Beihlehem, 



158 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



has a fine collection of views of the town, 
twenty in number; also, views of many of 
the old buildings, and the jjlans upon which 
they were erected; all fullof interest. Being 
an artist of no mean merit, his pencil and 
brush have enriched the collection with 
views, taken in the streets of the town, and 
in the vicinity. His journals are full of in- 
teresting records of past events; and he has 
a valuable accumulation of poetry, both in 
German and English, descriptive of life and 
events in the history of Bethlehem. Free 
use has been made in this work of Mr. Gri- 
der's ancient treasures, by his kind permis- 
sion ; and from his "Historical Sketches of 
Ml-sic in Bethlehem," written iu 1870, at 
my request, for this history, the copious ex- 
tracts have been made which compose this 
chapter. The beautiful and quaint language 
needs no ajjology, but his sketches are en- 
titled to the highest praise. 

Mr. Grider has been connected with the 
church and concert choir at Bethlehem for 
more than twenty-five years, having been 
in former years the leading tenor, and a per- 
former on one of the flutes iu the orchestra, 
and is therefore, entirely competent to speak 
on the subject about which he writes. 

In a sketch written in 1S54, Mr. Grider 
states that : 

" Bethlehem was perhaps, the most musi- 
cal of all the Moravian Congregations in 
America, in proportion to its inhabitants. 
There was no place in the United States that 
could compare to it. Music was one of the 
institutions which gave character to the 
town, afforded intellectual amusement and 
pleasure, both to the performers and hearers ; 
the children imbibed the spirit, and the in- 
fluence of it could be distinctly seen in the 
inhabitants. 

" The Brethren's House was the great 
nursery where the males received their edu- 
cation, and although kept very strict in many 
things; in music full scope was given, and 
was indulged iu by both young and old ; and 
if ever democratic principles were practised, 
it was in the Moravian towns; all were alike, 
respect was paid to the office and not to the 



man. The Bishops of the Moravians were 
nearly all musicians, and many of the Minis- 
ters took their part therein, frequently play- 
ing the first violin iu the orchestra. The 
musical performances were either in church 
or concert music, but one was distinct from 
the other. 

" In the Brethren's House, and the ' Sis- 
ters,' music was the principal amusement. 
The Single Brethren had music every even- 
ing, the married people went there to enjoy 
it, and to assist in the performances. 

" As an evidence of the love of music, and 
the simplicity of the early Moravians, it is 
recorded in the Church Diary of July 8, 1754, 
that, 'Our musicians of the church choir, 
performing hymn tunes, accompanied the 
harvesters as far as the river, on their way 
to cut the rye on the new farm, which was 
put under cultivation last fall near the 
Crown ; as the weather was fine, all who 
could assist, repaired to the fields, men, wo- 
men and children.' " 

In his later and more extensive work, en- 
titled, "Music in Bethlehem," written in 
1870, Mr. Grider thus discourses at large : 

"It is not known when music in an or- 
ganized manner was first performed here. It 
is recorded that instruments were used by the 
Moravians in Bethlehem in their religious 
services, in 1743, and that the noted Indian 
chief Tschoop, was buried amidst strains of 
music, in 174C- An attack by Indians was 
unintentionally averted about 1755, by play- 
ing a dirge on the trombones, the Indians 
supposing it meant au alarm. Thus, music 
may possibly have saved the town, aud the 
lives of its inhabitants. 

" Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to his 
wife in 1756, says, that he heard very fine 
music in the church; that 'flutes, oboes, 
French-horns and trumpets, accompanied 
the organ.' Hence, we may infer that music 
formed, previous to his visit, an essential 
part of Divine worship and social entertain- 
ment, and was cultivated to a great extent 
by a well organized body of musicians. 

"The first organ was obtained when the 
present chapel was built, in 1751. 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



159 



" The first orchestra performers, whose 
names are known to us, existed in 1780 :^ 
Rev. Emanuel NiTSCBMAN,ieadei;Eev. Jacob 
Van Vleck, 1«( t;io^VH / Abraham Levering, 
Matthias ^Y itke, 2d violin ,- Fbeuehick Beck, 
viola; David Weisland, Joseph Till, viuleii- 
celto's ; Wm. Lembke, Tobias Beckel, French- 
horna ; Samuel Bader, Joseph 0ERTER,y7u(c«/ 
David Weinland, Tobias Eoeceel, (ri(m^e(»; 
James IIall and Frederick BotcKEL, ohoes. 

" In 1795, a select party, consisting of Rev. 
John Fedeuick Frueauff, 1st violin; George 
Fredk. Boeckel, 2)^rf violin; John George 
Weiss, viola, and David Weinland, violen- 
cello, constituted an organization for per- 
forming Jos. Haydn's Quartettes, then quite 
new. It will be perceived that the music of 
that period, though lacking the variety ex- 
isting at the present day, included all the 
instruments then used by European orches- 
tras. The trombone, double bass, fagotto or 
bassoon and clarinet, not having been gene- 
rally introduced. It can be truly said that 
instrumental music here, has kept pace with 
that in Europe; the various new instruments 
being introduced as soon as used in the lat- 
ter country. 

"As constant accessions were made to the 
colony from Europe, the same statement is 
true as to compositions; no opportunity was 
neglected to obtain all the newest music 
which the Brethren in Europe possessed It 
is known that the Rev. Emanuel Nitschman, 
when he came from Europe, brought the first 
copies of Ntii/dn's Quartettes and Si/nipJionies. 
It is said that Joseph Haydn, if not directly, 
was at least, indirectly, in communication 
with themusiciansof thisplace. John Antes, 
born in Frederictrop, Montgomery Co., Pa., 
where the Moravians had a preaching sta- 
tion, was apprenticed to a wheelwright in 
Bethlehem; being a youth possessing much 
talent, he devoted himself also to the study 
of music; performing on all the stringed 
instruments ; he also studied it as a science. 
The Musical Library contains fourteen of his 
compositions. He was a skilful workman 
also, and partially supplied the then existing 
want of instruments, by constructing a viola. 



violin and violincello ; they were used at 
Christian-Spring. The viola with his name 
inscribed on it, still exists at Nazareth, and 
the latter is now in the church at Bethlehem. 
Having gone to Europe, he was sent out as 
a missionary to Egypt, where the Turks 
punished him with the Bastinado, from the 
effects of which henever entirely recovered; 
while laid up in that country, he consoled 
himself by composing quartettes; when con- 
valescent, he returned to Europe. In Vienna 
Antes made theacquaintanceof Ilaydn, who, 
together with other musicians, jserformed 
his compositions. 

" In the year ISOO, Federick Bourgvin, a 
new-comer, and a perfurmer, brought with 
him the first bassoon. In 1S06, a double bass 
was added, it cost sixty-eight dollars, it was 
paid for partly by a donation from the 
church funds, and by proceeds obtained at 
a benefit concert. The Rev. John C. Beckler 
performed on it the first time, but as he re- 
sided at Nazareth, Jacob Wolle, one of the 
violincellists, became the player; who, after 
having perfromed on that instrument, both 
at concert and in the church, for a period of 
fifty-seven years, was called home in 1863. 

" Haydn's greatest work, the Creation, was 
obtained in 1810, and partially performed in 
1811. It is believed that was prior to its 
performance in any other part of the United 
States. This was the case also with his Sea- 
sons, the Song of the Bell, the Seven Sleepers, 
Paradise and the Peri, and other German 
compositions. The copies of the Creation 
were made in 1810, from the score, by John 
Federick Peter, and are still preserved. 
When the piece was first performed here, the 
orchestra was thus constituted: ist violins, 
David Moritz Michael, Leader, John Freder- 
ick Peter; 2nd violins, John Christian Till, 
John Frederick Kauch ; viola, William Dea- 
ler; violincello, David Weinland ; contra-has/i, 
Jacob Wolle; flutes, Joseph Oerter, J. F. 
BoDRQDiN ; clarinet, John RiCKSECKER ; bassoon, 
J. Samdel Kradse; horns, Jo.skph Till, 
Daniel Kliest; oboe, James Hall; tnmpet, 
Frederick Boeckel. Soon thereafter, were 
added as new members, Jedidiah and Timo- 



160 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



thy Weiss, Charles F. Beokel, Jacob C. Till, 
George Fetter, Christian F. Lucls, and others. 

" The separation of the sexes was a dis- 
tinguishing feature in Moravian Congrega- 
tions, until about the beginning of the pres- 
I'Ut century. We now regard it as an error. 
Its effects upon music were such, that no 
vocal performances could take place in the 
concert room, except those in which male 
voices alone took part, until its abolishment. 
] t exercised considerable restraint even upon 
tlie performance of church music, since the 
female singers were required to occupy the 
northern part of the church, the present 
chapel; while the male performers gathered 
around and in the rear of the organ in the 
gallery, situated at the southern end. 

''From existing printed and written 
psalms and music, used on festal occasions, 
dating from 1768 to 1795, it is evident that 
Uco cluiisui singers existed, a male and a 
female, each complete in itself. Some pieces 
were sung by the first, others, entirely by 
the latter ; in some compositions they were 
made to respond to each other. 

" The building of the new church in 1803, 
ended this exclusiveness. It was no longer 
deemed improper for Sisters to sing at con- 
certs. At first, the married alone were al- 
lowed to sing solos, but in time these gave 
way to the Single Sisters. 

" While the former strict rules were in 
force, the Single Sisters had in their house, 
for many years, a complete string quartette, 
consisting of first and second violin, viola 
and violincello. The performers were mem- 
bers of their own choir, they performed for 
their own amusement, and assisted at the 
music in their own Prayer Hall. 

"The sources from which the young peo- 
lile received their musical knowledge, were, 
the Boarding School for Females, the Sister's 
House and the Single Brethren's House. 
Instruction was generally imparted free of 
charge. Talent was sought for, and when 
found, was developed. Persons who prac- 
tised music were looked upon as servants of 
the church ; every one was expected to assist 
in performances, whenever called upon to do 
60, by the director of church music. 



" Practiaingi were first held in the Breth- 
ren's House; after it was abolished as an in- 
stitution of the church in 1814, they were 
held in the large room in the west end of the 
new church, now used for keeping the ar- 
chives of the church. In 1824 they were 
removed to the present dwelling of the 
Principal of the Moravian Day School ; after 
that place was required for school purposes, 
they were nroved to the old chapel; at pres- 
ent they are held in the hall of the Moravian 
Day School. 

" Whii-JIonrhnj has ever been held a holi- 
day in this community. It became the 
anniversary day of the " Philharmonic So- 
ciety" in this manner ; among the accessions 
to the colony, was a professor of music, a 
member of the church, named David Moritz 
Michael; he was a ff'^^ioso on the violin, and 
performed well on the French horn, clarinet 
and other instruments. The young players 
all took lessons of him, and were greatly 
benefitted. He was a composer also, noted 
more particularly for compositions for wind 
instruments, then in vogue, called Purthien 
or Harmony Music, composed for five or six 
instruments, generally two clarinets, two 
French horns and two bassoons. Such music 
was generally performed in concerts from 
the balustrade on toi^of the Brethren's House, 
on week day evenings, in the summer, for 
the entertainment of the town's people. 

"One of these compositions was especially 
composed by the professor for a diversion on 
the river on Whit-Jfonday afternoon, when 
the whole population could enjoy it. This 
was called, "Die ]yansei-/art}i," or the Bunt 
Ride. The idea was practically carried out 
for a number of years, and resulted in mak- 
ing it the musical day of the year. 

"The inhabitants assembled on the river 
bauk,west of the old bridge, about 1 o'clock, 
P. M., a large flat bottomed boat or jtat, pro- 
pelled by four men with long poles, and 
provided with seats and music stands, re- 
ceived the musicians. A procession was 
formed by those who intended to participate 
in the pleasures of the occasion. When all 
was in readiness, the boat started, the music 
began; the party moved up the Lehigh, ac- 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



161 



companied by hundreds of listeners, enjoy- 
ing tlie music, social concourse and delight- 
ful prospect. The scenes on that partof the 
Lehigh were truly beautiful ; the banlis were 
studded with buttonwood, oak, hicliory, 
water-birch, and other trees whose graceful 
branches extended beyond, and dipped into 
the silent stream. Islands covered with 
vegetation, trees and shrubbery, whose shad- 
ows were reflected in the water, added to the 
attractions. 

" The walli was level, bounded on the north 
by fruitful meadows, and cultivated fields 
and orchards, on rising grounds ; on the south 
by the river and adjacent mountains. The 
season of bloom then often at its height, the 
apple, peach, cherry and other trees, being 
then in full blossom, the meadows covered 
with violets, the river bank with honey- 
suckle, lupin, and other flowers. The party 
continued westward one mile, to an eddy 
caused by a turn of the river, forming a 
miniature whirlpool.'" The poles no longer 
touched bottom, the waters being too deep. 
The composer, poet like, supposed a case of 
great peril, caused the music to convey the 
idea of fear and terror ; the boat was kept in 
the whirlpool long enough for the musicians 
to act out their part, when it emerged from 
the eddy into the placid stream ; ihe sounds 
changed to lively airs and graceful melodies. 
The boat meanwhileglided with the current, 
and the party wended their way homeward. 

" My principal authority for the foregoing, 
was the late Mr. Jacob Wolle, who said, 
' that about the year 1809 to 1813, he assisted 
as a performer of the Boat-ride, and on one 
occasion, the performers were John Rick- 
SECKEn, 1st clarinet; David Moritz Michael, 
2d clarinet ; Christian Luckfnbach, Peter 
ScHNELLER, French horns; Samuel Krause 
and Jacob Wolle, Baaaoons.' 

" Things have greatly changed since then, 
the walk has been entirely obliterated, a 
canal has been scooped out on its site. The 
river, then considered gentle in its cliarac- 
ter, has, owing to the construction of dams 
used in feeding the canal, become violent 

* Called the deep hole. 



and noted as a destroyer ; its floods tearing 
away the sodded river banks, uprooting the 
beautiful shade trees, and at times causing 
scenes of desolation, over which the lover of 
the beautiful laments. 

" That a musical community existed here, 
may be inferred from the following circum- 
stance ; about the year 1800, the town con- 
tained about 500 inhabitants, yet that small 
number furnished six persons as organists, 
who were able to serve the congregation, and 
did so, without recompense. Such organists 
were required to know about 400 church 
tunes, and be able to play them in any key 
the officiating minister m-ight start them. 
(The minister generally commenced the 
singing of the hymn without announcing 
the words, theorganist and the congregation 
joined in as soon as they could catch the 
words and the tune.) They were required 
to perform concerted music at sight. Now, 
the congregation is about three times larger, 
and but three persons are found able to do 
so. It was deemed not only au honor to be 
able, but a great privilege to serve the con- 
gregation in that manner. The names of the 
organists of that time, as well as the busi- 
ness each followed, are here given. 

JoH.v George Weiss, Watchmaker. 

Joseph Oerter, Bookbinder. 

Jobs Frederick Peter, Clerk. 

Joseph Horsfield, Nurseryman. 

Anton Smidt, Tinsmith. 

Marcus Fetter, Blacksmith. 
The organist of the large Moravian church, 
at this time, is Ernst F. Bleck, and of the 
Old Chapel, Theodore F. Wolle. The or- 
ganists of the Lutheran is Charles Swartz, 
of the Eeforraed church, George K. Hess; 
and of the Catholic, Professo. William F. 
Gkaber. The vocal performers are now 
well drilled, resulting from weekly practis- 
ings, which have been held for a period ot 
several years by Ernst F. Bleck. 

" The Moravian church has adopted choral 
tunes, deeming them the best suited for 
congregational singing, 'and although there 
is much sameness in style, yet, they are 
capable of much variety in expression, and 



16;; 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



indeed many portray in peculiarity of ca- 
dence, or in combined melody and harmony, 
a diversity of emotion suited to the expres- 
sion of those feelings in which a believer de- 
lights. Their beauty exists not so much in 
the melody as in harmony, hence they should 
be sung iu four parts. Their tune books 
contain about 495, of which about 400 are 
used. They have been gathered from many 
countries, from every available source; they 
use ten of Luther's and fourteen of J. C. La- 
trobe's composing; the church owes the lat- 
ter a debt of gratitude, not only for his com- 
positions, which are truly devotional, but 
for the impulse ' which he gave to many 
musical members of his church, in guiding 
and elevating their taste.' See Lecture on 
Church Music by the Rev. Lewis West, of 
Rrockwier, England, Fraternal Messenrjer, 
February number, 1858. 

'■'Herein Bethlehem it has been customary 
for the organist to play interludes between 
the lines, which custom has grown from a 
simple turn, into elaborate and highly color- 
ed passages. Such interludes not only tend 
to obscure the melody, but those features 
which caused the adoption of choral music by 
the churches, — its grandeur and simplicity. 
Many object to their use, and they are now 
frequently omitted by the present organists. 

" Interludes between the verses were first 
introduced here by one of our present organ- 
ists, Mr. Ernst F. Bleck. It was a decided 
improvement on the former method of pas- 
sing from verse to verse without any reliev- 
ing separaiion. It is not customary here for 
the choir to lead in congregational singing, 
the organ alone leads. Every member of the 
church who is able, is expected to sing loud 
and heartily. The choir sings only concerted 
music, and alone. Anthems are sometimes 
sung by the choir', and by the congregation. 

" Concerted Church Music, with organ and 
orchestra accompaniment, was performed 
here soon after the settlement began. It was 
at first, very simple in its style, being chiefly 
the compositions of their own people, who 
composed under instructions of those in au- 
thority, requiring them to simplify. As the 



style changed in Europe, the Moravian com- 
posers were allowed to furnish compositions 
of a higher order; the tastes of their people 
gradually improved, until the elaborate 
productions of the best masters were regard- 
ed as appropriate. 

'* The J/nsical Lihrary of the Moravian 
church at Bethlehem, contains about 750 
compositions, 146 with English text, and 611 
with German; composed by 89 difTerent au- 
thors, all are in manuscrijit, the greater part 
having organ and instrumental accompani- 
ments. Besides which, there is a large col- 
lection of bound books some containing collec- 
tions of pieces, and others containing Masses, 
by various authors; the latter have English 
and Latin texts, and have been more recently 
obtained. Among the manuscript music 
composed by members of the church, or by 
others not members, but at the request of the 
church, and not known outside of a few Mo- 
ravian congregations, there are many that 
may be classed among the gems of musical 
compositions. The favorite authors are 
Bishop Gregor, J. Christian Geissler, Dr. 
Soerensen, Graun, Bergt, Naumann, Freydt, 
Reissiger and Spohr, of Germany; Bishoji 
J. C. Latrobe, of England, and Bishop Herbst 
and Bechler, of the United Slates. 

" Before the choir sings, it is usual for the 
minister to rise and announce the piece, and 
read the text of the composition. It has 
been, and is at this time, customary for the 
choir to sing at every funeral; several times 
at every Love-feast, and on otiier festal oc- 
casions, such as Christmas, Easter, Thanks- 
giving, i-c. Recently, the choir sings every 
Sunday evening at the opening of service. 
In addition, there are Musical Singii.g Meet- 
iugs, where no addresses are usual, the choir 
and the congregation singing alternately ; 
these are delightful occasions, there is no 
rule as to the compositions and hymns, the 
officiating minister selecting such as suit 
the occasion. There are also Liturgical Sing- 
ing Jlcclings, where the choir, the various 
classes, and the congregation, sing alter- 
nately or all altogether. These are in print, 
and are only with organ accom.paniment; 



B E T U L E 11 E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



163 



and are in the German language. Suck 
services are generally held in the evening. 

" The attractions of the services of Christ- 
mas Eve are made more interesting by music. 
Many suitable compositions exist here. For 
a series of years, the services on this occa- 
sion have been opened by singing that gem, 
'Stilly night, silent night,' by the choir, a 
sweet composition, calming, and preparing 
the large audiences for what follows. The 
service lasts about two hours, during which 
the Rev. F. F. Ilagen's ' Morning star the 
darkness break' is sung, alternating between 
the choir and the children, always to the 
great delight of those present. The anthem, 
although simple, and intended for children 
only, has taken deep root in the hearts of the 
congregation, who never seem to tire of its 
performance. 

"'For unto us a child is born,' — Handel. 
' Sey Wilkommen,' — by Haydn. 'Lift up 
your Heads, ye Gates,' — Handel. 'Gloria,' 
12th Mass, — Mozart, and other compositions, 
are sung. 

"At this time the church choir numbers 
sixteen female and eight male singers. The 
accompaniment to the singing consists of 
the organ, two first and two second violins, 
viola, violincollo, double bass, two French- 
horns, two trumpets, trombone and flute, 
clarinets are not represented for want of 
competent performers. 

" New Year's Eve, in Moravian congrega- 
tions, has ever been the occasion of special 
services. Formerly the adult portion of the 
congregation assembled in the early part of 
the evening to hear the JiJemorabilia read. 
This was a statement made by the minister 
of matters of public interest, or such, relating 
to the congregation, which transpired during 
the year, and were worthy of record. The 
paper is made up from the diary kept by all 
Moravian clergymen. The subjects treated 
of, embrace the general features of the sea- 
sons, harvests, health, peace and war, losses 
by fire, new buildings. All births, deaths, 
marriages, removals and accessions, each 
name being fully recorded. The number of 
each class, the losses and accessions, together 



with a general review of the whole congre- 
gation, and a comparative statement, as to 
its numbers, its increase and decrease. The 
reading of the Memorabilia, at this time, 
takes place during the first week in the New 
Year. At Hi o'clock, r. sr., the congrega- 
tion assembles for watch meeting. After the 
officiating minister enters, the choir sing 
Bishop' Gregor's solemn composition, ' Lord! 
Lord 1 God,' and then the congregation sing; 
after which the text for the day is read from 
the text-book, and is the subject of the dis- 
course which follows. Meanwhile the mu- 
sicians in the choir consult their time-pieces, 
and quietly assemble in front of the organ. 
The organist also watches the hands on his 
time-piece, and sits ready with his feet 
poised. As the Year expires, the New is 
welcomed by a loud crash of melody from 
the organ, and a double choir of trombonists, 
by p'aying tune 116, Text, 'Now let us 
praise the Lord.' The performance generally 
leaves the sentences of the speaker unfinish- 
ed, but ' Time waits not.' The congregation 
rise and join in singing, followed by prayer, 
the reading of the text for the first day, and 
the singing of a hymn. These meetings are 
always largely attended. 

** Pansion Wec/c Services begin on Satur- 
day evening preceding Palm Sunday, with 
an introductory address and prayer, and 
with the reading of the history of the inci- 
dents of our Saviour's sufierings. Upon 
which occasion Dr. Soerensen's exquisite 
composition, ' Bethany, thou Peaceful ha- 
bitation,' is generally performed. It was 
specially composed for the services on that 
evening. It ought to serve as a model in 
refined taste, in simplicity, in accompani- 
ment, and in melody. 

"In the services on Muiindy Thursday 
ffoorf Friday, Great Sahhalh, and Easier, musie. 
forms a prominent part, most of the compo- 
sitions then used were composed to suit the 
occasion by devoted Christian men ; many 
of them persons of high musical culture, 
whose works have borne the test of time, and 
are greatly esteemed by Moravians, who 
always look forward to their performance 



164 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



with pleasure. Although various composers 
have written for the same occasions, and 
changes are sometimes made in those usu- 
ally performed here during a number of 
years, we will notice the favorites! For 
Jfaundy Thitraday, '1 see thee in thy soul's 
deep anguish,* — di Freydt. Soprano solo, and 
chorus, with Obligato Bassoon, carrying a 
mournful melody, an accompaniment to the 
soloist. On Good Friday, 1. 'Jesus bow'd his 
head and died/ — di Gregor. 2. ' The story of 
his passion,' — di J. C. Gelsster. 3 . ' The Lord 
of life 1 now sweetly slumber,' — di Latrobe. 
The first, is for Soprano Solo and Chorus, ten- 
derly accompanied by the organ and orches- 
tra, while an Obligato Flute continues its 
mournful strain uninterruptedly throughout 
the entire performance, The second, opens 
with a duelt for Soprano and Alto, and ends 
with full chorus and orchestra accompani- 
ment. The third, is for Tenor and Basso Solo, 
duett and chorus. This is one of Bishop 
Latrobe's best compositions. The instru- 
mental accompaniment is very fine. Two 
Obligato Clarinets and two Flutes are promi- 
nent features therein. The services on Good 
Friday evening are intended to be a spiritual 
gathering of mourners around the grave of 
the buried Saviour. The three compositions 
have been jierformed here for many years, 
and have become precious to those who have 
heard them once each year since childhood. 

" In the Love Feast on Great Sabbath after- 
noon, three musical compositions are per- 
formed by the choir, among which is Bishop 
Latrobe's ' Holy Redeemer,' for Tenor Solo, 
Chorus,and double Chorus. This composition, 
good judges of music deem equal to the best 
of Handel's works. 

"The Sabbath evening services are simi- 
lar in character to those of the evening pre- 
vious. The assembled worshippers are sup- 
posed to be gathered at the Saviour's grave, 
and give expression to their feelings by 
strains of sorrow. The choir usually per- 
forms two pieces, one for female voices in 
two parts ; the other, one of Latrobe's com- 
positions, for the same, considered the best 
of all his works. Text, ' With thy merito- 
rious death, ko.' Both Friday and Saturday 



evening meetings, close with congregational 
singing without organ accompaniment, the 
organ after starting the choral, gradually 
ceases playing, this is an impressive feature. 
On Easter morning, the church services be- 
gin at 5 o'clock, A. M., and will be fully de- 
scribed hereafter. 

" By the Moravians music is regarded as 
suited to every occasion in life, the last 
moments of the dying are soothed by the 
singing of hymns at the bedside, oft-times 
selected and joined in by the departing one. 
After death the departure is made known to 
the congregation by the performance of a 
trombone quartette from the church spire ; 
at the funeral, when the congregation leave 
the church, the trombonists head the proces- 
sion, who perform while marching, and lead 
the singing at the grave.™ The trombones 
produce a peculiarly solemn eflfect when per- 
formed upon, better and softer melody could 
be produced by more modern keyed instru- 
ments, the Cornet and Alt-horn, A-c, but the 
trombone was originally selected as the sym- 
bol of ' the last Trump,' and on that account 
has held its place. Four diflorcnt sizes are 
used, known as the Soprano, Alto, Tenor and 
Basso. The two smaller have Trumpet Tones. 

" Trombones are also used on festal occa- 
sions, to announce the festival, from the 
church steeple, the time being about 7i 
o'clock, A. M. Again at the opening of the 
service at the Love feast, at 2 o'clock, p. jr , 
and at night, if open air, meetings are held, 
as upon the occasion of the children's festival. 
The tunes are varied to suit the occasions. 

The services on Easter morning without 
the accompaniment of the trombonist's, 
would lose much of their solemnity and in- 
terest. On that occasion the choir is often 
increased. Formerly all the instrumental 
performers, whether string or wind, took 
part; latterly trombones only are used. The 
musicians pass through the principal streets 
of the town, beginning about 3 o'clock, a. m., 
in order to awaken the members of the eon- 

* A full deEcription of the funeral ceremonies will be 
found in chapter lOtb, and are tnerof re omitted hero. 
—J. U. M. 



BETHLEUEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



1G5 



gregation, greeting them with Hymn, No. 
9-15, represented by Tune 83. The text: — 

" ' Christ is risen from the dead, 

Tliou shalt rise too, saith my Savior, 
Of what should I be afraid? 
I with him sliall live forever. 
Can the dead forsake hi3 limb. 
And not draw me unto him?' 

'■ Half an hour before service the spacious 
church is usually filled wiih the congreation 
and visitors, who engage in praying the 
'Easter Morning Litany,' which embraces the 
creed of the church. At the passage, ' Glory 
be to him who is the resurrection and the 
life,' the minister dismisses the assembly 
with the announcement that the rest of the 1 it- 
any will be prayed in the burial ground. The 
musicians having left previously, greet the 
people as they leave the church, with appro- 
priate hymns suited to the occasion. A pro- 
cession is formed, led by the children of the 
schools and their teachers. 2d, the church 
choir singers. 3d, instrumental performers. 
4th, the clergy. 5th, females. 6lh, males. 
They then move on to the grave-yard. The 
males then occupy the first j^ath running 
parallel to Market street. The clergy and 
all the musicians the second path. The fe- 
males the third path, and part of that ex- 
tending north and south from Market street. 
It is so timed, that as the procession enters 
the grounds, it is met by the brilliant rays of 
the rising sun, emblematic of the time of the 
Saviour's rising, and our resurrection. As 
Boon as the multitude have reached their ap- 
propriate places; the services are continued 
to their close. The singing is led by the in- 
strumental performers. In case of a fair 
mild morning about 2000 persons usually 
attend this really grand and impressive ser- 
vice. The grounds, which are always kept 
neat and tidy, shortly before Easter, receive 
a special refit. New tombstones are placed 
on the graves of the newly buried, old ones 
are cleansed, other graves are newly sodded, 
and many are decked with wreaths and 
boquets of blooming flowers, as tokens of 
endearing affection. 



" Trombones were formerly used to greet 
celebrated persons. When General Wash- 
ington visited Bethlehem, he was wel- 
comed by the trombonists, as a mark of 
respect. They were also formerly blown 
upon the arrival or departure of clergymen, 
and distinguished members of the Moravian 
church. General Sullivan of the Revolu- 
tionary Army was so greeted when he visited 
Bethlehem during that war. 

" It requires not a little self-denial to serve 
as a performer of the trombone choir. He 
is required to attend all the services when 
they are used. He is obliged to assist in an- 
nouncing every death which occurs in the 
congregation, to play at the funerals, to play 
on every festal morning and afternoon, to per- 
form before the celebration of the Lord's sup- 
per. He is in duty bound to go to the grave- 
yard, or climb to the church belfry at all sea- 
sons, and in every kind of weather; colder 
rain must not be heeded, he goes through all. 
Oft-times the intense cold congeals the mois- 
ture of the instrument, and renders playing 
almost impossible. Yet he is ever ready. 
This is done for the love he bears the church. 
Although much is required, the congregation 
has never been without such a choir. 

" We cannot dismiss this subject without 
citing the distinguished services of several 
who are still serving the congregation in this 
capacity. There exists a photograph, called 
the ' Three Trombonists,' the fourth, being 
represented by his instrument, he having 
' gone home' The three entered the service 
as trombonists, on Easter morning, in the 
year 1818, having served without interrup- 
tion, to this date, a period of 63 years. The 
names of the surviving three are, Jedidiah 
Weiss, Charles F. Beckel, and Jacob C. Till, 
the missing brother, Timothy Weiss. 

"The trombones are not, we believe, used 
in the religious services of any other deno- 
mination of Christians in the United States. 
Those in use here, were made in Neukirchen, 
Germany. The Brethren who constitute the 
performers at this time, are, Ambroise H. 
Rafch, Robert Rau, Soprano, or JJ i scant ; 
Charles F. Bcckel, George M. Beckel, 
Alto; Henrt D. Bishop, James H. Wolle, 



166 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Tenor's; Jedidiah Weiss, and Charles N. 
Beckel, Basso's. 

" Serenades have been customary here 
fnjiu the founding of the town to the present 
date. During former times more frequent 
than now. Visitors to the town were for- 
merly greeted with a serenade. Birth-days 
were so celebrated. The date of the birth of 
each individual in the community was for- 
merly known to all the inhabitants by a cus- 
tom which existed, and which is still ob- 
served in Moravian congregations. We refer 
to the keeping of a Birth-daij-Bookj a record 
containing a blank page for each day in the 
year. In it was recorded the names of every 
member of the congregation, and friends, 
and relatives in other places; distinguished 
members of the church both here and else- 
where — both living and deceased — all such 
as they desired to remember, often also, dis- 
tinguished names in the history of the world, 
such as Luther, Melancthon,GaIlileo, Colum- 
bus, Washington, the Presidents of the Uni- 
ted States and others were found therein. 

"Iha Birth-day- Book ^ni Text-Boo!: were 
placed on the breakfast- table each morning; 
after the text was read, and while the family 
were being served, the record was generally 
consulted in order to ascertain whose birth- 
day it was. This custom served as a bond 
which held the inhabitants in social union. 
No one, no matter how poor or humble was 
forgotten, every one was greeted with good 
wishes and attentions. Such books of record 
also suggested subjects for conversation often 
tending to entertaining and useful informa- 
tion, particularly so, to young persons. Dis- 
tant persons were greeted by letter, those 
near were visited during the day, and saluted 
with kind wishes, sometimes by the singing 
of hymns ere they left their bed-chambers. 
Poetical effusions were composed and sent; 
many specimens of which, still exist in this 
community. The best composition of this 
class was written by Bishop Gregor, while 
residing in America to his daughter in Eu- 
rope, giving a description of his American 
experiences, it is in the German language, 
and consists of thirty-six verses, the first 
verse is as follows : 



" ' Aller lifbste Cbristal 

Ilente kriegBt du zw.ir, 

Keine Fest epistel, 

Wie die vor'ge war 

Die icb du vor'm Jalire 

Au3 d(?r See gesandt 

Denn fur die zeit faliro 

Icb auf trockenem Laud.' " 
" It was written in 1771, and contains an 
account of Bethlehem, Nazareth, and other 
iloravian congregations, but the most at- 
tractive portion, is the description of his 
visit to the Indian congregation on the Sus- 
quehanna river, called Friedenhulte}i, now 
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. 

" Special pains were taken when the jlst 
birth-day came, then surprise fo' lowed sur- 
prise. Serenades were a part of the pro- 
gramme. Formerly hymn tunes were per- 
formed, such music being constantly prac- 
tised, the musicians were at all times ready 
to perform them." Here follows an interest- 
ing account of the celebration of the Golden 
Wedding of our friend, Jedidiah Weiss, and 
his wife, which occurred on November 26th, 
1870, copied from the next issue thereafter 
of the Moravian, which is very pleasing but 
too long to be included in this brief chapter. 
'■The first special organization for sere- 
nading* which we can trace, existed here in 
1840. It coijtinued during many years, and 
produced some sweet music; mostly fan.i- 
liar airs, arranged by three of the members, 
viz. : CuAHLES F. Beckel, E. F. Bsckel, and 
Matthew CunisT. Their collection embraced 
about thirty pieces. The members— Charles 
F. Beckel, first violin ; Christian F. Luch, 
second violin; Matthew Christ, clarinet; 
John Siglev, bufjlc ; Lewis F. Beckel, _/Ztt(f; 
Ernest F. Bleck, viotinceV.o ; IIeney D. 'Qis.n- 
op, trombone ; and at a later day, the same 
music was rendered, existing vacancies be- 
ing filled by Ambboise H. Rauch, ingle; 
James H. Wolle and Charles N. Beckel, 
trombones; and RuFUS A. Qrider, jlutc. 

" When the era of brass music came, an- 
other club was organized, and performed for 
several years, during the existence of the 
older; and then finally took its place. It was 
known as the " Sextett Club." The instru- 
ments used were cornets and tubas. It was 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



1G7 



constituted as follows : — Lewis F. Beckel, 
Leader, George M. Beckel, Charles N. 
Beckel, Bernhard E. Lehman, Matthias 
Weiss, Jdlius N. Weiss, and William II. 
Boehler. The music performed by them was 
mostly of Professor GrafuUa's arrangement. 
This organization did the community good 
service — the inhabitants of the town received 
many a musical treat between their dreams. 

" Vocal serenades have been customary 
here from the town's commencement. One 
organization for that purpose existed here 
about 1S50. Another called the 'Abion' ex- 
isted here for several years, using the Arion 
collection for miinnerchoir It sang its ' last 
lay/ at the funeral of Amos Commenius 
Clauder, one of its members, who died Octo- 
ber 14th, 1S68. Lately the members of the 
Moravian Church choir have serenaded seve- 
ral of its ijrominent members upon their en- 
tering the choir of the ' married people.' 

"J/i7t"(a)-y niMstc took its rise here in 1S09. 
Under the existing military laws, all males 
between the ages of 18 and 45 years were re- 
quired to exercise in military tactics, twice 
each year, or pay a fine. The first was called 
Exereiaiiiff, it embraced one of the districts 
of a brigade. The second, included the en- 
tire brigade, and was called 'Battalion drill.' 
On such occasions nearly all the males re- 
ported for duty. Females also came as spec- 
tators; it was the gala-day of that j^eriod. 
Shows or circus i^erformances did not then 
exist. Fairs also were of a later date. A 
nodding plume was an admirable appendage 
i n those days. To be an officer of the brigade 
was deemed a great honor. Persons attain- 
ing such positions endeavored to excel each 
other in display. Fine uniforms, bright but- 
tons, large epaulets, plumes, cocked hats, 
and attractive music were required. 

"The formation of the 'Bethlehem Band' 
was the result of the militia system of that 
period. In the book in which the members 
recorded their names is found the following 
' Preamble to the Constitution' of the Musical 
Society of the 97th Regt. Pa. Militia. As 
this society has been offered by the brigade 
inspector and colonel of the 97th Regt. Pa. 



Militia, that if the Society will furnish the 
regiment with military music on the occa- 
sion of Battalion parades, the said Musical 
Society shall not be subject to any military 
fines, and as said Society has accepted said 
offer, they agree to be bound by the follow - 
ing Constitution. Article I. The Company 
shall be known as the Columhia Bnnd, &c. 
To this instrument are attached 52 names, 
some of them, among the most prominent 
citizens of the town. In the early part of its 
formation the band numbered 12 performers, 
but it afterwards increased to 24 members. 

The following is a list of the names of the 
members, as they stand recorded in rotation 
in the book: 

Samuel Luckenbach Christian F. Lucli, 

John Rickseeker, Benjamin Eggert, 

Jedidiah Weiss, William Rice, 

David Peter Schnellcr, Charles F. Beckel, 

John F. Ranch, Samuel Luckenbach, 
John Oerter, eon of Adam, 

Christian Luckenbach, George W. Dixon, 

Timothy Weiss, Charles Williams, Jr 

Jacob Till, David Weinland, 

Daniel Luckenbach, Charles C. Tombler, 

Gottlot Ouetter, Samuel Shultz, 

John Q. Fetter, John C. Weber, 

Ernst F. Bourquia, Charles Neisser, 

Samuel Weinland, Charles L. Knauss, 

Christian Laugo, George II. Goundie, 

Uenry Ilillman, John G. Clewell, 

Samuel R. Eggert, Jacob Luckenbach, 

Charles F. Kremser, Samuel Brunner, 

Phillip Dealer, aiichel Kreider, 

William B. Luckenbach, William Luckenbach, 

Herman Ilillman, Aug. Belling, 

Charles S. Bush, Jos. 0. Eeitel, 

Benjamin Whitesell, Lewis S. Knauss, 

Francis Lennart, Matthew Christ, 

Augustus Milchsuck, John David Weiss, 

Andrew Vognitz. Francis Knauss, 

John Alex. Bourquln, Jacob WoUe, 

William Neisser, Win. C. Luckenbach, 

John M. Miksh, C. Jacob Till. 
C. F. Youngman, 

"At the beginning of the present century 
Military Bands were rare ; few existed out- 
side of our large cities ; performers were few ; 
it was difficult to obtain instruments and 
suitable music. The present great city of 
Philadelphia had at that time but one Band. 
Frank Johnson, a noted Bugler, a colored 
resident, had organized a Band from among 
his own race; it was the Band of that city 
for a long time. During the earlier part of 
its existence it accompanied the Fencibhs, 



1G8 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



commanded by Col. James Page, when on a 
visit to Bethlehem, which they reached via 
the Lehigh Canal by boat. On that occasion 
the Bethlehem Band assisted iu we'coming the 
visitors to tlie town. Many of the members 
of the Bethlehem Band were skilled orchestra 
performers; some of them able to compose 
suitable music. Their most effective com- 
position at that time was a Grand 3Iarch, 
composed by their leader, C. Jacob Till, the 
skilful rendering of which did them great 
credit. The band was successively led by 
JoHS RicKSECKEH, C. Jacob Till, Cqarles F. 
Eeckel, Samuel Luckenbach,''' and again 
during a short period by Mr. Beckel, until it 
was disbanded. It existed during a period 
of thirty years. The excellence of its music, 
and the high social and moral standing of 
its members, gained it great celebrity; its 
services were sought for in distant parts ; 
and it was regarded as equal to any Band iu 
the Atlantic cities. 

" The first Brass Baud was organized in 
the year 1839. It was led by Jobs Sigley on 
the Biajle, and existed only during a short 
time, about fjur years. In 1845 an excellent 
Brass Band, led by Peter Pomp, of Easton, 
visited the town; they performed with much 
taste, the well known Ltn-e Nut Quicka'ep. 
The visit was long remembered by the peo- 
ple of Bethlehem. The immediate efi'ect was 
to arouse a spirit of emulation; it was re- 
marked by the young musicians here, ' Eas- 
ton shall not outshine us long.' An organ- 
ization was formed at once by young per- 
sons ; an existing Reed Band was converted 
into one for Brass instruments, with the fol- 
lowing performers : 

Ambeoise II. Rauch, Henry D. BrsHOP, 
Amos Bealer, Charles N. Beckel, 

Wm. H. Boehler, Harry BouRgui.\, 

Lewis F. Beckel, Jplius N.Weiss, 

Matthias Weiss, Henry I. Oerter, 

Julius W. Held. 

This organization was continued uuder the 

lead of Lewis F. Beckel for about 15 years. 

After it was disbanded, several attempts were 

* Samuel Luckenback w.a3 not a performer, he was 
the captain of the baiid. i.*:.. Drum major. He always 
dismissed the pi'rformers with the remark, '• Geutlt^ 
men, the baud is dismissed I thiuli." 



made to re-organize, but without permanent 
success. At this time another attempt is 
being made by persons who have not belong- 
ed to other organizations of the town. 

"The Philharmonic Society of Bethlehem 
was the result of previous musical culture, 
and former organization. There was a prior 
organization known as the Collegium Jluticiun 
of Bethlehem. Music had been practiced in 
the town during a period of seventy-eight 
years ; as an art era the new name was as- 
sumed. About (he year 1806 an effort was 
made to revive the flagging musical spirit. 
A benefit concert was given in 1807, after 
which $19.15 was collected, which at that 
time was deemed a large sum. Iso tickets 
were sold, and no admission fee charged; 
persons deposited their gifts at the door in 
a tin box, painted green, and marked ' For 
the Suiiport of Music' 

" The Treasurer's accounis, which have 
been preserved, show the number and date 
of the Concerts given during a number of 
years, and the amount received after each 
Concert. From them the following informa- 
tion is gathered, viz: 



Datt. 


Omcerts. 


Amt^s rcc\l 


ISO 7, 


n. 


$31.47. 


1S08, 


28, 


32.00. 


1809, 


36, 


42.86. 


1810, 


24, 


32.00. 


1811, 


24, 


32.60. 


1812, 


16, 


25.58. 


1813, 


24, 


42.00. 


1814, 


14, 


16.41. 


1815, 


12, 


7.28. 


1816, 


10, 


12.50. 


1S17, 


12, 


10.63. 


1818, 


11, 


10.50. 


1819, 


13, 


8.20. 



In ISyears, 241 Concerts, $301.73 ; averag- 
ing about one dollar and thirty cents for each 
Concert. The Society paid no rent, and paid 
for no fuel. It had no other resources except 
the free will offerings of its own people, and 
yet it was sufficient to purchase candles, 
violin strings, and instruments, make need- 
ed repairs, pay for music paper and copying 
music, and the Society had $4.42 iu the treas- 
ury when it assumed a different organiza- 
tion, and a new name, in the year 1S30. 



EDTULEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



1G9 



"Leading members of the Musical Society 
and learners practised daily on their respec- 
tive instruments from fifteen to sixty min- 
utes after dinner and at night. Quartette 
Clubs also existed, -n-hieh met regularly at 
the houses of members and at the Brethren's 
House, 

" On the 19th of May, 1823, The Creation 
■was performed by the Philharmonic Society, 
on a larger scale than ever before in Bethle- 
hem. Seventy performers took part. It was 
sung in the original German text, and the 
Concert was deemed a great success. In 1S24, 
eight Concerts weregiven. OnWhit-Monday, 
in 1832, Schiller's ' Song of the Bell,' with 
Eomberg's music, was rendered for the first 
time here, to the great delight of the public. 
The person representing the part of Master, 
was our present veteran Basso, Jedidiah 
Weiss, now seventy-four years of age. The 
Tenor Soloist was TiMOTHY Weiss, whose fine 
voice, and skilful rendering is still remem- 
bered with pleasure by those who heardhim. 
The soprano soloists were, Miss Susan E. 
Stotz and Miss Lizzette Bleck. The alto 
soloists, Miss Charlotte Beekel and Miss 
Caroline Brown. 

" Things went on prosperously under the 
direction of Charles F. Beckel, Matthew 
Christ, Jacob 'Woi.le, Ernest Lehman, and 
Jedidiah and Tuiothy "Weiss. Perfect unity 
of action existed, and rapid progress was 
made. The compositions given for a series 
of years at the annual festivals were, viz: 

1833, The Creation, Ilaydn. 

1834, Spring and Summer,... " 

1835, Winter and Autumn.... " 

1836, The Song of the 'Be\\,..Rnmherg. 

1837, The Seven Sleepers, Dr. Lowe. 

1838, " " " " 

1839, The Creation, Ilnydn. 

"The Society was now in the zenith of its 
glory ; ' The Seven Sleepers,' then quite new, 
was repeated at public request. The repre- 
sentations of tlie Seven Brothers was deemed 
highly interesting; but more particularly 
the part of the boy, Malehxts, performed by 
Miss Lizette Bleck, who possessed the rare 
faculty of forgetting self, and throwing her 
whole soul and feelings into the part she 



represented; yet so modest and childlike, 
that she has been regarded by those who 
heard her, as unequalled in the part in this 
place. The Bishop of Ephesus was repre- 
sented by the Rev. John G. Herman, a Bishop 
of the Moravian Church, whose deep, rich 
bass voice, had a great effect upon the audi- 
ence. His official position was poetically 
true. It was also a pleasing and unusual 
feature. 

"In 1S40, William T. Roepper, a skilful 
piano-forte, organ, and violin performer, and 
a good tenor singer, became an active mem- 
ber of the Society ; and soon thereafter was 
elected Conductor, which station he filled for 
about thirteen years; during which time 
greater efforts were made than ever before 
to improve the quality of the music render- 
ed. The practice of music, however, like all 
other undertakings, is subject to ehb andjlow. 
The Bethlehem public had been surfeited 
with music ; the audiences became slim and 
indifferent ; under such circumstances it 
was but natural that the performers should 
lose their interest also, and practicings ceas- 
ed for a time. 

" In 1S5S, an effort was made to revive the 
dormant Society. J. P. E. WiNDF.KiLDE,a vio- 
linist, was elected leader, Frederick Agthe, 
LoFis F. Beckel and Rrpus A. Grider, Direc- 
tors, and James H. Wolle, Secretary. Miss 
Eknestina Hahn (afterwards married to Juli- 
us N. Weiss), a noted soprano singer, and a 
Teacher in the Boarding School, gave instruc- 
tion to the male and female singers of the So- 
ciety, using the ' Social Glee Book.' It was 
intended for open air recreations on the river 
in the evenings. 

" In May, 1863, the Society again perform- 
ed The Seven Sleepers, and repeated it the fol- 
lowing month. Three Concerts were given 
in 1864, and the same number in 1865. In 
1866, Mr. Eoepper reappeared, after a retire- 
ment of several years. He gave the vocal 
performers an opportunity to practice Shu- 
man's Paradise and the Peri, in order to grati- 
fy a taste which he had acquired for the 
works of that author, and the pleasure it 
would afford others. The offer was eagerly 



170 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



embraced. Mrs. J-ine E. Kracse (the eldest 
daughter of Mr. Eoepper) took the difficult 
and prominent part of the Pen, and sustain- 
ed it with great success. Miss Annie Stein, 
Miss Ellen Lichtenthaler, Miss Kate Self- 
ridge, and Miss E.MiLr Sieger, also sang 
Bolos; Robert Rah was tenor soloist, and 
Jedidiau Weiss and Anthony Goth, bassos. 
The accompaniment was performed on the 
piano, by Mr. Eoepper. It was intended for 
social recreation only; but the performers 
desiring to sing it in public, for the benefit of 
some charitable object; a Concert was given 
in February, 1SC7, and with such success, 
that the public required two repetitions. 

*^In 1869, a re-organization was effected. 
The Society was placed under the direction 
of Professor William K. Grabeb, as leader; 
during that year, Eossini's Siubal Mater, and 
Sjiohr's Last Judgment, were performed here 
for the first time. We copy from the Mora- 
vian, of March 6th, 1869 : 

"'The Concert on Saturday evening last 
was iu every respect a gratifying success. 
The programme was a choice one, the ren- 
dering of it admirable in every particular, 
and there was a crowded house. Part I., of 
the programme embraced the following: 
Overture, La Cenerentola; Fautasie, Piano, 
Chopin (Prof. \V. Warner) ; Trio, Piano, Vio- 
lin and Violoncello, Mendelssohn, (Messrs. 
WoUe, Graber and Bleck); Marchia, Piano, 
RafT (Prof. Warner) ; Quintette, Larghetto 
and Eondo, Bethoven (Messrs. Wolle, Graber 
and Bleek, Charles W. Eoepper, and B. E. 
Lehman); Prof, Warner received a well-de- 
served eticoi-e, to which he responded by play- 
ing the L'Ecumedu Mer. It is seldom, indeed, 
that more finished and brilliant performing 
on the piano is heard than that with which the 
audience were favored on this occasion. The 
* Stabat Mater,' which formed Part II., was 
never sung better. The parts were distribut- 
ed as follows : ' Cujus Animam,' Mr, E, 
Eau; ' Quis est Homo,' Miss Kate Selfridge 
and Miss Otelia V. Clauder; 'Pro Peccatis,' 
Mr, Anthony Goth; ' Eia! Mater,' Mr, Jedi- 
diah Weiss; ' Sancta Mater,' Miss Ellen 
Lichtenthaler, Miss Mary Ann Eice, Messrs. 



Eobert Eau and Edwin G. Klose; 'Fac ut 
Portem,' Mrs. C. W. (Jane) Krause; ' Inflam- 
matus,' Miss Ellen Lichtenthaler. A repeti- 
tion of the last was enthusiastically called for. 
1 1 was superbly sung. The solos and choruses 
were each given with admirable precision and 
expression. It was a most enjoyable evening. 
Why cannot the Concert be repeated? We 
believe the public would heartily welcome a 
repetition, and we have no doubt that all the 
performers and singers would enjoy it as 
well. It is certainly a gratifying circum- 
stance that there is still so much musical 
taste and ability amongst us, and it will not 
be questioned that both ought to be cultivat- 
ed. It is a pleasant thing to see, and a hope- 
ful symptom of the healthiness of social life 
in Bethlehem, when citizens of all ages and 
classes meet together to rehearse such classi- 
cal music as that embraced in the above pro- 
gramme, and when without any parade or' 
aflfectation, the same is publicly rendered 
for the enjoyment of others and for a charita- 
ble purpose. The Philharmonic Society has 
a mission to perform, which we trust it will 
not neglect.' 

" The first Concert for the benefit of the 
Young Men's Christian Association's course 
of Winter Evening Entertainments, was given 
on Saturday evening, November 27th, 1869. 
The musical reporter of the Jforavian, in the 
issue of that paper of December 2d, writes 
enthusiastically of the performance, thus : 

'"The Philharmonic Concert on Saturday 
evening last was a delightful success. We 
have seldom had a Concert in which the pro- 
gramme was so uniformly well carried out. 
The selections were a'l more or less familiar, 
at which some may be disposed to cavil; (to 
our taste this was one great merit of the pro- 
gramme^, but no one could have failed to be 
entirely satisfied with the manner in which 
they were rendered. Excepting our memo- 
rable 'Paradise and the Peri' experience 
some winters ago, we have not, for many 
years, had so full and well drilled an or- 
chestra and chorus. Very great credit is due 
to the conductor. Prof. Graber, and to the 
members of the Society, who have suflTered 



n E T 11 L E II E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



171 



themselves to be drilled — a rather rare vir- 
tue iu volunteer performers, be it remember- 
ed. The evidences of careful rehearsing 
were manifest throughout, and there was a 
promptness and correctness in time and ex- 
pression in which our orchestras were for- 
merly rather deficient. 'VVe welcome this 
Concert as the beginning of a new musical 
era in Bethlehem, which shall do more than 
restore its ancient renown, and as for our- 
selves we vote for dispensing with the lec- 
tures announced iu this course of Winter 
Evening Entertainments,' and substituting 
Concerts, even though these could only be 
had by repeating some of the previous per- 
formances. Music that is worth hearing at 
all, has nothing to lose, but much to gain by 
repetition, and that not only once, but many 
times. 

"'The orchestral contributions to the pro- 
gramme were the Overture to La Dame 
Blanche, Op. 44, Kalliwoda, Ileimweh (Jung- 
man), and some of Strauss' Waltzes, (the 
latter, the only portion to which we take 
slight exception). The Quartette, from Obe- 
ron, was sung by Mrs. Jane R. Krause, Miss 
Otelia V. Clauder, Messrs. Robert Rau and 
B. E. Lehman. The Flute Obligate was 
finely performed by Mr. Charles W. Roep- 
per, accompanied on the piano by Prof. 
Wolle. The duett from Mendelssohn's 
'Hymn of Praise,' was sung by Miss Annie 
Stein and Miss Kate Selfridge, the chorus 
being very full, about thirty singers. This 
was unquestionably the gem of the evening, 
and so the audience seemed to think, but it 
failed to accomplish a repetition. The ' Glock- 
entoene,' ( Proch), was sung by Miss Kate Self- 
ridge, Mr. B. E. Lehman accompanying on 
the French horn, and Prof. Graber on the 
piano. It deserved the encore it received. 
The Trio, ' Die Sanften Tage,' was very beau- 
tifully sung by Mrs. Krause, and Messrs. 
Robert Rau and Anthony Goth. The chorus 
was composed of male voices. It, too, we 
want to hear again. ■ The Heavens are Tell- 
ing,' was splendidly given by the full chorus, 
at first a little too slow in time, but the Con- 
ductor speedily remedied this. Altogether 



the Concert was an event, and the public 
asks for many more like it.' 

"In the jVoravinn of May 12th, 1870, the 
following interesting notice and statement 
will be found, viz : 

" ' The Philharmonic Societij will this even- 
ing render the Oratorio of ' The Seven Sleep, 
ers.' It has been performed several times 
by the Society, the first time being in 1837, 
when the solo parts were distributed as fol- 
lows : Miss Lizette Bleck (afterwards Mrs. 
Israel Ricksecker), Miss Susan Stotz (after- 
wards Mrs. Rev. H. J. Titze), Miss Phoebe 
Bleck (now Mrs. Wm. Brown), Miss Louisa 
Pietsch, Mr. Chas. F. Beckel, Mr. Timothy 
Weiss, Rev. John G. Herman, Rev. Julius 
Bechler, Rev. J. C. Erickenstein, Mr. Jedi- 
diah Weiss, Mr. Eeckel being also leader of 
the orchestra. As the text of the oratorio will 
be for sale at the Concert, we need not give 
the plot. The distribution of the solos is as 
follows: Sopranos, Mi-s. Laura Clauder, Mrs. 
C. W. Krause, Miss Kate Selfridge ; alto, Miss 
Cornelia F. Boner; tenors, Mr. Robert Rau, 
Mr. Henry T. Clauder, Mr. Bertiue S. Erwin ; 
Bassos, Mr. Jedidiah Weiss, Mr. Edwin G. 
Klose,andMr. Anthony Goth. The choruses 
are numerous.* 

"At a meeting of the 'Philharmonic So- 
ciety,' of Bethlehem, held on Tuesday, Oct. 
6th, 1870, the following gentlemen were 
elected ofiicers of the Society for the ensuing 
year : 

rresidmt,, CH ARLFS F. BECKEL. 
Treasurer, JAMES II. WOLLE. 
Directors, 
TnEODORE F. WOLLE, KoEEKT RiU, ChaELES TT. ItOEPPER. 

Conductor, 
Prof. Wm. K. Geaber. 

"The society seems to have taken a new 
lease of life. Efforts are now being made, 
not only to improve the rendering, but also 
to bring in new material; much progress has 
already been made, under the industrious 
and genial new conductor. Prof. Graber. 
The number of vocal performers at this time, 
belonging to the society, is 62, consisting of 
33 males and 29 females. The orchestra 
numbers 26 performers, viz : 



172 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Firf:t violins. 



1: 



rlbon 



Conductor, Prof. WM. K.GRABER. 

r Prof. Theodore F. Wolle. 
Jlr. S. Erastus Pettee. 
Charles F. Beckel. 
Emanuel C. Ricksecker. 

Viida, Robert Eau, Matthew J. Schmidt. 

C Alfred C. Roth. 
,, J . 7. Charles Reieel. 

Charles Luch. 
[ Augustus Gugatsh. 

Violincello, Ernst F. Bleck, John Luch. 

Contra-Baaso, George JI. Beckel. 

Bassoon, Jedidiah Weiss. 

Charles N. Beckel. 
James H. Wolle. 
Augustus H. Leibert. 

Cornels, Lewis F. Beckel, Adolph Degelow. 
French Horns, Ambrose II. Ranch, Bernhard 

E. Lehman. 
Flutes, Charles W. Roepper, Harry II. 

MoNeal, Rufus A. Grider. 
Kettle Drums, Frank A. Stuber. 
Organ, Mrs. Louisa Huebener. 

"Although the state of music in Bethle- 
hem, embracing a period of 128 years, has 
been sometimes over-rated by visitors, we 
believe that up to the year 1S25, the Bethle- 
hem orchestra compared favorably with any 
other amaleur organization of a like charac- 
ter in the United States. When the 'Musi- 
cal Fund Society of Philadelphia,' perform- 
ed the Creation, {01 the first time, about 1S19, 
the trombone parts could not be filled there, 
the performers were from Bethlehem; Mr. 
Jedidiah Weiss being one of the three who 
performed on that occasion. Mr. Richard 
S. Smith, the well known veteran Under- 
writer of Philadelphia, lately remarked, 'I 
was one of the originators of the ' Musical 
Fund Society,' when we gave our first f/?-a?j(/ 
concert, in which Trombones were necessary, 
■we had to send to Bethlehem for the per- 
formers. They, and their large instruments 
were the centre of attraction. Trombones 
were a novelty in our orchestra, few in the 
audience had ever seeo or heard one.' After 
the concert, one of our members said he 
thought be could learn to play on one of 
those big things, if he had one, so one was 
accordingly purchased for him, and he took 
it home to practieeou it. At the next raeet- 
ine he was called upon to report progress ; 



which he did as follows : ' I took the trombone 
home, and when I got there, the sitting room 
looked very cozy; the cat was curled up in 
front of the fire ; my wife was up stairs, and 
the baby was asleep in her cradle. I sat 
down to try my new instrument; I blew 
vigorously, a discordant blast was the result, 
the oat sprung to her feet in aflfright, with 
her hair on end, and her tail much enlarged, 
she gave me one astonished look, then tore 
furiously out of the room. I made another 
attempt, with the same result as to sound, 
which awoke the baby, she screamed with 
terror, I laid down the trombone, and walked 
the floor for an hour, with Miss Roberts in 
my arms.' The report created great laugh- 
ter." 

These brief extracts from Mr. Grider's in- 
teresting work, will give some idea of Music 
in Bethlehem, and of his interesting work. 

In 1859, Mr. Lewis H. Weiss began to 
write ' The Annals of the Music of Bethle- 
hem." But as he had removed from the 
town, he abandoned the work ; being too far 
from the necessary materials, which is much 
to be regretted. I have a copy of his unfin- 
ished manuscript, and the ability displayed, 
leads those who have read it, to hope, that at 
some early day, Mr. Weiss will complete a, 
work so well begun. 

In 1870, a new band was organized under 
the name of the Bethlehem Cornet Baml, with 
the following named persons as performers. 
Edward Benner, Leader, E cornet ; George 
Beers, i? conie<; George J. Maltuaner, E 
clarinet; William M. Sigfried, E cornet; 
Henry Slider, E cornet ; Otto Grovner, B 
cornet; Lewis S. Lilly, alto ; Edward Hunt, 
solo alto; Benjamin Weber, alto; Matthew 
Weiss, solo tenor ; W. Bachman, tenor; Phillip 
Sink, barritone; George M. Beckel, solo 
larritone ; Samuel Simms, bass; William Ortt, 
hass; Robert Heokmak, bass; Eugene Jacoby, 
bnsa drum; Edward Clewell, snare drum; 
Jacob Vognitz, snare drum; Stephen Kom- 
miller, cymbals. 

The Bethlehem Liiderlcranz held its first 
meeting on Saturday evening, October 29th, 
1870, in the hall of the Moravian Day School, 



BETHLEnEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



173 



agreeable to a call of Charles W. Roepper, the 
original founder of the "Kranz." Twelve 
persona were present, and the society was 
duly organized by the election of the follow- 
ing officers. 

President, CHARLES W. ROEPPER. 

Scc'yand TVras., GEORGE U. LUCKENBACH. 
Directors. 

Matthew J. Schmidt, George H. Luokenbach and 

Frederick J. Rice. 

Conductor, William K. Graber. 

Owning to the bad health of the secretary, 
of Matthew J. Schmidt, a director, the resig- 
nation of the president, and the insertion of a 
new clause in the constitution, authorizing 
the election of a vice-president, a meeting 
of the society was called, and a new election 
was held to fill the vacancies, which resulted 
in the following choice of officers. 

President, ABRAHAM S. SCUROPP. 

Vice President, UENRY G. BORHEK. 

Sec'yand Tineas., AUGUSTUS H. LEIBERT. 

Directors, Frederick J. Rice, Theodore F. Levers 
and James T. Borhek, Jr. 

The following is a full list of the members 
of the society- 
Charles W. Roepi^jr, James T. Borhek, Jr., 

George H. Luckeobacb, 
Benjamin Riegel, 



Abraham S. Schropp, 
"William K. Graber, 



Frank L. Wolle, 
Samuel Solt. 
James M. Schnabel, 
Augustus H. Leibert, 
Theodore F. Levers, 
Caesar Spiegler, 
Charles Proeser, 
Joseph A. Weaver, 
George Hess, 
Charles Schwartz, 
Clarance Crist, 
Clarance A. WoUe, 
Frederick J. Rice, 



Joseph J. Bcabm, 
Quietus Jacoby, 
Franklin L. Sussdorff, 
Frantz Koeglcr, 
Cyrus K. Breder, 
Henry G. Borhek, 
Frederick Miller, 
Edward Welden, 
Oliver A. Clewt'll, 
Ammon Gardiner, 
Milton J. Hess, 
Adolph Begelow, 
Matthew J. Schmidt, 



Bertine S. Erwin, M. D. 

The society meets every Friday evening 
for practice, and frequently serenades its 
members and friends. It assisted at the 
concert of the Philharmonic society, which 
was given on March 2nd, 1S71, singing the 
followingGermansongs,^6scAi*e(£vo7rt Walde, 
" Farewell to the Forest," by Mendelsshon ; 
Die Wacht am Mkein, the German campaign 
song, which took the audience by storm, an 
encore was demanded, but instead of repeat- 
ing it, thesociety sung Mein Wunck, i. e., " My 
Wish," which gave great satisfaction. 

This brings the history of music in Bethle- 
hem down to the present day, imperfectly, 
it is admitted ; but full enough to show how 
deeply the love of music is inherent in ita 
people. 



174 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



j^k 







ijiM.^ " 







^5S3j-aES 



T-rfYlORSiS' 



Mif 



THE LEHIGH UNIVERSITY. 
SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PA. — 1871. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
Borough Authorities. — Lawyers and Doc- 
tors. — The Choice of Bishops by Lot. — As 
Account op a ** Vesper" of the Moravian 
Historical Society. — Old Map of Bethle- 
hem IN THE Historical Society of Penn- 
sylvania. — The Married Peoples' Houses 
— Manokasy. — The Apothecary Shop. — 
Pottery. — Tobacco. — Silk.— Public Build- 
ings.— The Vineyards.— The Pennsylva- 
nia and Lehigh Zinc Co. — South Bethle- 
hem. — The Paper Bag Manufactory. — 
New Street Bridge. — Volunteer Coji- 
panies. — The Lehigh University. — The 
Freshet of Oct. 4, 1869. — The First Pub- 
lic Roads. — David Nitschman and His 
Company. — The Great Minnisink Trail. — 



The First Post Office.— The Mode of 
Travel in the Olden Times. — The " Crown 
Inn." — Stage Route from the Wind Gap 
to Philadelphia. 



Sjl^^isT of Chief Burgesses of Bethlehem, 



M 



since the year 1S45. 



Chas. Aug. Luckcnbiirh, 
John Matthew Miks-cb, 
Ernst F. Bleck, 
.Tucub Wolle, 
JtHlidiiih Weiss 
Phillip H. Goepp, 



Eenjamin Van-Kirk, 
Kdwaril II, Riiuch, 
Ira Cortright, 
Nathan Bnrtlett. 
Clmrles F. Beckel, 
C. Edward Peisart, 



Ambrose J. Erwin. 

S.iMUEL Brusner has hern clerk of Councils since 
1S45, previous to which time, the municipal affairs uf 
the town were ucdc-r the direction of the Moravian 
Church. 



B E T II L K 11 E M, P E N N S Y L V A N I A. 



175 



LIST OF COtTNCTLS. 

Philip TT. Goepp, Charles W. Rauch, 

Hi-uiy U. Uuflter, Louis F. Beckcl. 

Bi-M.j;iminKgsert, Solomon Stecki-l, 

Lewis Dwter. George Steinninn, 

Krnst V. Uleel;, Henry T. Milclisnck, 

William Luckelibach, Jacob H. Lilly, 

J.ihu M. Mik cl], Jonas Snyder, 

Cli;iile3 L. Knail-s, Merritt Abbott, 

Cliristian Luclieubach, William Leibeit, 

Joseph H. Tavloi-, Josiah George, 

MiittliewKrause, Charles Blank, 
Cli;irles Ang. Luckeubach, Ambrose J. Erwin, 

JnliM F. lianch, Charles Boiider, 

William R. Huffnagle, Henry S. Sellers, 

Jncub Luckeiib;ich, Francis E. Huber, 

.Matthew Broivn, Lewis Doster, Jr., 

James T. Borliek, David 0. Luckeubach, 

.*\;ivon George. Isaac Walp, 

Ambroisc H. Rauch, D. Henry Bishop, 

I'bristiaD F. Lurh, John K. Dech, 

Join C. Malthaner, Richard W. Leibert. 

John Krause, Charles Fred'k Kberlin, 

Charles F. Krem'ser, Wm. Frankeuiield, 
Dri Abraham II. Huebener, John Opp, 

William Bu>Ji, Jacob J. Hoffman, 

Chri-^tian La'nge, Simuel Snyder, 

( harles B. Daniel, Rufus A. Grider, 

William F. ratter, John H. Yost, 

John Uerger, Charles E. Shoemaker, 

Simon l;an, John B. Zimmele, 

Kdward Weinland, Ei'^in Mushlitz, 

I'eier Kleckuer, Simon Kemmerer, 

Aaron W. Rudley. Louis Gei lach, 

Charles Kdward Peisert, Datid H. Taylor, 

Charles F. Beckel, Joseph Wendell, 

John ^V'alp, Jeremiah Bieher, 

Ruben o, Ltickenbach, William B. Rico, 

Xatlian Barclett, Jacob Fries, 
Daniel Desh. 

CONSTABLES. 
Chas. W. Rauch, Permania Ricksecker. 

George Reigh. Gilbert Van Fradeneck, 

Av.gustus Belling, Chr. Lewis Jiidd, 

Joel Shitz. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, from 1741 to 1S71. 

Timothy Ilorsfield, John F. Rauch, 

William Okdy, Rcubeu S. Rauch, 

David Kliest, Samuel C. Shimer, 

Joseph llorsfteld, James T. Borlick, 

Jacob Wolle, Benjamin F. Schneller, 

Joseph Rice, Samuel Brunner, 

William Rice, Abraham Myers. 

LIST OP LAWTERS. 
Charles Brodhead. Esq., J. Howard Burke, Esq., 
William Emil Doster, •• Lewis H. Stout. ' 

Alfred Clirist, " Frank Reeder. " 

William P. Hackett, " Walter S. Heilner, '• 

In March, 1S71, Adolph Coneadi was ap- 
pointed one of the Saal Diener'a of the Beth- 
lehem Moravian Congregation. 

At page 131, it is stated that Polly Hecke- 
weMer was the on?y daughter of the famous 
Missionary to the Indians, which is erron- 
eous, lie had two younger daughters, one 
of them married Joseph Rice, the other mar- 
ried Christian Luckeubach. Nor was she 
the first white child born in Ohio, as stated, 
but she was the first white /e?;iaZe child born 
in that State. 

The Physicians of Bethlehem, in the past. 



as well as those of the present day, have'been 
noted for a high degree of professional skill 
in their calling. Some of those now depart- 
ed, were not only eminent lu their profes- 
sion, but were ce'ebrated for their witty say- 
ings, or eccentricities, which have caused 
their names to be household ones in the 
place. Among these old time doctors may 
be mentioned : 

Dr. Matthew Otto, Dr. Abraham Stout,* 

" John Fred'k Rudolphy, •' Frederick Martin, 
" Juo. Fred'k A. Steckel, " Abraham L. Huebener, 
•' Eberhardt Freytag, *' William Wilson, 

" Daniel Green, " Benjamin Wilhelm, 

The following Physicians are at present 

located in the town. 

Dr. Maurice C. Jones, Dr. Charles E. Humphreys, 

'• Fred'k A. Fickhardt, •' John U. Wilson, 
" Augustine X.Leinbach, " John J. Wilson, 
" Abraham Stout. " Bertine S. Erwin, 

" Edward H. Jacobson, " George S. Engler, 
Dr. John R. Goodman. 

Among the notables of Bethlehem there is 
an artist of no mean merit, De Witt C. Bou- 
telle; his picture of Niagara is the best repre- 
sentation of that famous natural curiosity 
yet painted. It embraces a view of the 
entire Fall, presenting a truthful picture, 
faithful to nature, and is exquisitely beauti- 
ful. 

The celebrated German painter, Gustavl's 
GnuNEWALD, resided for many years in the 
town, but has now returned to his native 
country. 

Mr. Retjeen 0. Luckenbach, who is a na- 
tive of Bethlehem, and has his residence 
there, has painted many beautiful pictures 
of the charming views iu the vicinity. He 
is teacher of Painting and Drawing in the 
Young Ladies' Seminary. 

The following official notice will serve not 
only to complete the list of the Moravian 
Bishops, but also to show that the use of the 
Lot is still continued in the Church. 

" We are officially informed by the Unity's 
Elders' Conference, that on the i?lh day of 
July, ISVO, that body took into solemn con- 
sideration the request of our late Provincial 
Synod to have two new Bishops appointed 
for our Province, and that after mature de- 

* Dr. Stout, the elder, was an uncle of the present 
Dr. Stout, and of Lewis H. Stout, Esq. Dr. Maurice 
C. Jones studied medicine in his office, and waa his as- 
sistant. 



17G 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



liberation it had been resolTed to m5,ke use 
of the Apostolic lot in deciding which of the 
four brethren who had been nominated 
should be appointed as Bishops. According- 
ly, after fervent prayer, the names of tlie 
four candidates, viz : the Revs. L. F. Kamp- 
man, F. R. Holland, E. de Schweinitz and 
A. A. Roinke, were submitted to the Lord's 
decision by lot. The first name drawn was 
that of the Rev. Edmund de Schweinitz, and 
then followed that of Rev. Amadeus Roinke. 

" These two brethren. Revs. E. de Schwei- 
nitz and A. A. Reinke, having therefore been 
constitutionally elected and confirmed as 
Bishops, they will, (D. V.) be solemnly 
consecrated to their sacred office, here at 
Eethlehem, on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 
28, 1870. 

" We hereby cordially commend them to 
the prayers of the Church. Let it be our 
united petition to the throne of grace that 
our Episcopacy may remain precious in the 
sight of the Lord, and that He may endow 
these brethren, with a large measure of His 
Holy Spirit, to- the end that ' they may hold 
fast the faithful word, and be able by sound 
doctrine both to exhort and to convince 
gainsayers,' (Titus 1. 9.) and that they may 
' feed the Clmrch of God which he has pur- 
chased with his own blood.' (Acts 20. 28 ) 

"In the n,ame of the Provinical Elders' 

Conference. 

Robert de Schweinitz, 

President. 
Bt'tlikliom Pa., August 27, 1S70." 

On Thanksgiving Day, November, 24, 1S70, 
the Right Rev. John C. Jacobson, one of the 
senior Bishops of the Moravian Church in 
the Northern Province in the United States, 
departed this life at his residence in Bethle- 
hem, Pa., in the 76th year of his age. In 
Bishop Jacobson the Church loses one of her 
most devoted and active servants. He had 
consecrated himself in early life fully to the 
work of a minister of Jesus Christ in the 
Moravian Church, and the completeness of 
this devotion kept him during the long ser- 
vice of more than fifty years always active 
and diligent, always cheerful and hopeful. 

He was consecrated a Bishop of the Church 



at Litiz, Lancaster County, Pa., September 
15, 1854, In which ofiice he served for the 
last time at the consecration of Bishops, in 
August of the present year. 

The funeral of the departed Bishop took 
place on Sunday, the first in Advent. The- 
solemn services were conducted by the 
Bishops, De Schweinitz and Shultze. The 
choir of the church at Bethlehem performed 
with wonderful power and pathos, "Blessed 
are the dead which die in the Lord," from 
Spohr'a " Last Judgment." The coffin was 
borne to the grave by six clergymen of the 
Church. 

In the Morat'ian for October 27, 1870, will 
be found the following interesting account 
of an "Annual 'Vesper' of the Moravian 
Historical Society." 

" Many an uncertain mind was gladdened 
as the morning of the 19th of October, 1870, 
dawned bright and clear, and the sun poured 
forth its cheering rays over the varied au- 
tumn landscape. This was the day on which 
the annual ' Vesper' of the Moravian His- 
torical Society w.as to be held, and whose ad- 
vent had so long been awaited by all those 
who love to spend an afternoon in the old 
fashioned Brethren's style; in talking over 
the scenes of former days, and learning from 
the experience of the pioneers of our church 
in this country. Already in the forenoon 
the familiar faces of brethren and sisters 
from other congregations could be seen in 
the streets of Nazareth, all wending their 
way to the old church edilice, where the 
rooms of the Society are located. After spend- 
ing some time in examining the museum, 
with its numerous and interesting relics of 
ancient times, whose history alone would 
fi 1 volumes, our thoughts were suddenly 
called away from this subject by the ringing 
of several of the old bells, mementoes of some 
of the first Moravian settlements in America. 
This was the signal for all to repair to the 
tables, and there to enjoy all the pleasures 
of a genuine ' vesper.' A few minutes after 
two o'clock, the sixty-two members present 
were called to order by the President, Rev. 
Eugene Leibert, and after singing a hymn. 



B E T U L E II E JI, PENNSYLVANIA. 



177 



were informed that every one should help 
himself. Never was business more heartily 
and cheerfully engaged in. With such 
tempting pieces of real Moravian sugar-cake, 
bona fide rye bread, and fresh apple butter 
before him^ how could any one be backward? 

" While the vesper progressed, various 
subjects of interest to the Society were dis- 
cussed, and under the blue clouds of smoke 
that soon overhung the assembly, many a 
peal of laughter resounded, as some gray- 
haired sire recounted some adventure that 
he had had many years ago. Nor was more 
important business neglected. The proposed 
purchase of the old ' Ephrata property' oc- 
cui>ied a considerable part of the attention 
of those present. This, comprising as it 
does, the venerable Whitefield House, would 
be a most desirable relic for the Society to 
possess, both to preserve it from the impious 
hands of modern * improvement,' and as a 
suitable place in which the Ilistorical So- 
ciety could have its museum and rooms 
permanently situated. Although all appear- 
ed to appreciate the liberality of the price at 
which the property is offered ($1,500) and the 
appropriateness of our having this interesting 
property in our hands, no further action was 
taken than to recommend the subject to the 
favorable consideration of the Board of Mana- 
gers.* 

" While this question was being discussed, 
a cable dispatch received by the Provincial 
Elders' Conference was passed around, and 
perused with great interest. It contained a 
laconic announcement that Bro. Augustus 
Schultze had accepted a call as Professor iu 
the Moravian College at Bethlehem: ' Skulize 
hat angenommen.' 

" Several relics also were at this time pre-- 
sented to the Society. A nicely framed 
photograph of the old 'Kingsly House' at 
Wyalusing, built in 1768, by Moravian Indi- 
ans, under the direction of Heckewelder 
was, presented by Bro. Ed. Welles. Bro. 
Wm. Jordan presented a smaller copy of the 
same, while Dr. Maurice C. Jones donated a 

♦ The property has since been purchased by a well- 
known Moravian gentleman, and presented to the 
Society. 



piece of wood and some mortar from this 
ancient structure. The latter gentleman 
likewise donated some Indian relics found 
iu Wyalusing, and Miss Clara Ilenry, several 
wild plums, plucked from a tree in the set- 
tlement. A photograph of the Whitefield 
House was presented by Bro. Wm. Jordan. 
Another very curious relic, presented by 
Mr. Lehr, was a Moravian catechism of the 
year 1730, as the title says, 'for the use of 
teachers who do not know better.' In read- 
ing the list of contributions of the last year, 
the President remarked that their number 
seemed to grow less and less as the Society 
grew older, and urged each member to strive 
to add to the museum by his personal exer- 
tions. 

"As Dr. Jones had, during the course of 
the year, made a visit to Wyalusing, he was 
called upon to give an account of his trip. 
He said that his party had explored the old 
' Kingsley House' from cellar to garret, and, 
that nothing had escaped their curiosity. 
From a tree which Heckewelder had plant- 
ed, they gathered some apples, which they 
pronounced excellent, but Dr. Jones, as he 
did not get any, considered them rather 
sour. 

" A very interesting account of the fire de- 
partment of former times in Moravian set- 
tlements was given by Bro. Jedidiah Weiss, 
who had himself risen from the ranks of a 
common fireman to the distinguished otEce 
of Fire Inspector. At first, he said, all the 
responsibilities of this office rested on the 
clergy; but later, when ministers were no 
longer as " smart" as formerly, a special ofii- 
cer had to be elected, whose duty it was to 
visit every house in the settlement, to in- 
spect all the stoves, chimneys, &c., and to 
advise all the house-wives to maintain con- 
stant caution and vigilance. 

" Thus, divided between pleasure and busi- 
ness, interspersed with a plentiful supply of 
wit and anecdote, the afternoon passed swift- 
ly by, and after a resolution had been pass- 
ed, requesting the President to appoint some 
person or persons to prepare papers on his- 
torical subjects, to be read at the next annual 
Vesper, the meeting adjourned. Slowly and 



178 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



reluctantly each one prepared to leave for 
liis home, and as we separated, there was 
none who did not say that the afternoon had 
been pleasantly and profitably spent, God 
willing, there should not one such anniver- 
sary be held in the future at which he would 
not be present." 

At this meeting Part IV. of the "Transac- 
tions of the Moravian Historical Society" 
was issued. It contains a "Sketch of the 
History of the Bible in Bohemia," by Wil- 
liam G. Malin, a very interesting and valu- 
able paper, and " The Establishment of the 
Moravian Congregations in Ohio," by Jesse 
Blickensderfer, a sketch that contains much 
new and interesting information. All mem- 
bers of the Society are entitled to a copy of 
the Transactions. 

The town of Bethlehem was founded with- 
in the limits of Bucks Cuimtij, and on the 10th 
of March, 174C, the inhabitants presented a 
petition to the Court for the formation of a 
Township, which was granted, although it 
was not surveyed and laid out till the year 
1762, when it was done by Geobge Golkow- 
EKY. The names of the petitioners were, Na- 

THANIAL SeIDEL, UenHY AnTES, JoHN BllOWN- 

riELD, Samuel Powell, Matthias Wetss, 
John Okely,Fbederick: Camjierhoff,George 
Neisser, Christopher Ptrleus, James Burn- 
side, Joseph Powell, Jasper Payne, and 
Joseph Spangenberg. 

After the dissolution of the " Q^conomj-," 
in 17G2, Lots in Bethlehem were sold to the 
following individuals, each of whom soon 
erected dwellings thereon for the use of their 
families: Andrew Eorhek, Wearer; AVil- 
LIAM Boehler, Wkeelwn'yht / Lldwig Hceb- 
ENER, /'oHtr/ Daniel KuNKLER, Shopkeeper; 
George Shindler, Carpenter ; Francis Thom- 
as, Joiner; Dewalt Kornman, Skindresser. 

Some of the houses already erected by the 
Society were al.=o sold; Henry Krause, 
Butcher, and GoTTLEiB Lange, Saddler, and 
some others, each purchased a house. 

There is a very valuable and excellent old 
map of a part of Bethlehem, drawn on the 
12th of January, 1757, now in Ihe possession 
of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 



hanging in a conspicuous place in their Li- 
brary rooms in Philadelphia. The houses 
and farm buildings on the west side of Main 
Street, and the mills on the Manckasy are 
not represented on the plan ; it contains only 
that portion of the town situated on the east 
side of Main Street, together with some pro- 
jected buildings, including the T.avern, (now 
known as the " Sun Hotel,") which were af- 
terwards erected, but not altogether in ac- 
cordance with the plan. It is quaintly writ- 
ten in German on the western side of the 
map, that " The rest of Bethlehem is down 
below here." 

The chief point, however, in connection 
with this old relic, is the fact, that upon the 
lot where the large Moravian Church now 
stands, there was, as appears on the map, two 
large log houses, and not one, as has been 
hereinbefore stated, at page 19. One stood 
at the south-east corner of the lot. near the 
Gemein Haus, and was called the Jhrrkd 
Men's Souse; the other stood at the north- 
west corner of the church lot, and was known 
as the JItnrried Women's Boiiae. These houses 
were used by, and called The Harried Peaplc's 
Houses. Having sought for more light on the 
subject, I received a i;ote from Mr. John Jor- 
dan, Jr., of Philadelphia, thewell known An- 
tiquarian and Bibliographer, in which he 
sa}-s, " You are correct in your surmise in 
regard to the oecupance of separate houses 
by the married people after the time Bethle- 
hem was settled, and I think the custom 
continued until the change of the (Economy 
in 1702, or thereabout. The separation was 
of course but partial, and worked well so 
long as the enthusiasm which distinguished 
our early settlers lasted." 

Thi? explains the foot note to page 1.^9 of 
the History of Lehigh Valley, which is as 
follows: " Married people met together onlv 
once or twice a week. The Brother lived in 
the Men's House, and the Sister in the TN'o- 
men's House. For some years there was a 
lack of dwelling houses." 

The Bev. Wm. C. Eeichel, who is now en- 
gaged in writing a full and exhaustive his- 
tory of Bethlehem for the Historical Society 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



179 



of Pennsylvania, a Moravian minister, a 
resident of Bethlehem, the author of the 
" Bethlehem Souvenir," and of the " Histori- 
cal Sketch of Nazareth Hall," who examin- 
ed the old map with me, say3, " The prac- 
tice of keeping the married people separate 
was aholished about 1747 or 1748. 

On the map it will be noticed that Main 
Street, as now laid out, is called The new road 
to JOuniaide, and that The old road to Burnside 
is also indicated. James Buhsside was born 
in Ireland, in 170S, emigrated to Georgia in 
1734, and in August, 1746, became a member 
of the Moravian Church. His farm (now 
Benjamin G. Unangst's) was situated near 
Bethlehem, and the road led to it. He was 
the first member from Northampton County 
in the Provincial Assembly. He died at his 
farm-house on the 8th of August, 1755. 

The illustration heading Chapter 3rd, page 
19, represents the " Water Tower," as attach- 
ed to the west end of the " Married Men's 
House," which was not the case, it only ap- 
peared so iu taking the view. The Tower, 
in fact, stood in the centre of the church lot, 
and between the Married Men's and Wo- 
men's Houses. 

There was a bird's eye view of Bethlehem, 
dated 1755, published for sale at the Fair of 
the U. B. Sanitary Commission, in 1864, held 
in Logan Square, Philadelphia, which gives 
a correct representation of the two old build- 
ings referred to, and their position on the 
Church lot. The " Married Women's House" 
was iu 1754 used as a school-house for the 
boys. (See Life of Heckewelder, page 33, 
showing that Mr. Reiehel is correct.) 

The building on the old map, referred to 
in the " Explication" thereon, as the " Boy's 
Institute," and which I have called the 
" Nursery," was, so says Mr. Reiehel, "built 
for the use of the Married J/en, and was at 
one time occupied hj jive divisions of them." 
During the Indian Wars, all the children 
were gathered together from Nazareth, and 
the other Moravian towns, and brought to 
Bethlehem for protection ; the smaller child- 
ren were placed in this building in charge of 
Bome of the Sisters of the Bethlehem Congre- 



gation, detailed for that purpose; hence the 
common name of the old House, torn down 
during the summer of 1S70, to make room for 
the new Publication Office of the Moravian 
Church. All the old residents of the town 
called it " The Nursery;" I have followed 
their example. It was sometimes called (he 
"Old (Economy Building." 

Mrs. Friday says, "The Nursery was an in- 
stitution which was formed by the necessity 
of circumstances. The great amount of labor 
to be done in the building of houses, clearing 
the lands, farmiug, procuring building ma- 
terials, Jfcc, besides keeping constant watch 
night and day, made it necessary that every 
means should be taken to bring all the re- 
courses of the inhabitants to bear. The fe- 
males could assist in farming, such as rako 
hay, spread grass, plant and hoe potatoes and 
corn, husk corn, load hay, <to. ; but mothers 
were prevented by their children. A Nur.s- 
ERY was thereupon instituted, where child- 
ren two j'ears of age were taken and raised 
under the supervision of the Church. To 
this institutionmany objections were found; 
it did not work as well as desired, and as 
soon as the GJconomt/ was abolished, (having 
things in common), the Institution was dis- 
continued. It must be said however, that 
although the children so raised had not the 
parental feelings as those raised by the affec- 
tionate mother, yet some of the best citizens 
Bethlehem ever had were so brought up. In 
those days Economy ruled; in order to save 
paper, pen and ink, the children were taught 
at school to write with uncut quills on press- 
ed sand." 

In the same " Explication," on the old map, 
" The Corpse House" is called " The House 
for the bodies of the Lambs of God," at least 
that is the literal translation of the sentence, 
for the "Explication" is written in the Ger- 
man language. Near the corner of Main and 
Market Streets, standing in the street, is an 
erection marked 0, which was the " Watch 
Tower," built during the first Indian Wars, 
in 1755. 

A company of gentlemen have recently 
purchased the high hill and plain west of 



180 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Eethlehem, wliicli is separated from the 
town by the Manokasy Creek, and have 
built a handsome iron bridge across that 
stream at Broad Street, connecting their land, 
which is now being laid out in lots, with the 
town. This new part of the town is called 
ITest Bethlehem. 

The Maxokasy (this mode of spelling is 
my own, and is in accordance with the pro- 
nunciation of the name) Creek runs through 
the town and empties into the Lehigh at the 
foot of Kisky Hill. The old Moravians call- 
ed this creek the Jl/o/ta/res, with an acute ac- 
cent over the second a. Heckewelder says 
the Indian name was llenarjass!, with an 
acute accent over the first a, meaning "a 
creek with many bends." The Rev. \Vm. C. 
Eeichel, the well known Moravian author 
and antiquarian, writes the name Makakast, 
with an acute accent over the first two a's in 
the name, this gives the word in the German 
pronunciation the same sound as my spell- 
iug, Manokasy. The name has of late been 
rendered Monoccacy, while it is pronounced 
Manokasy, which is absurd. There is a 
river in Maryland, and an Island in the 
Susquehanna, near Wilks-Barre, both called 
the 3Ionoccai.li, and I hope the Bethlehemites 
will call their creek by its proper name here- 
after, and write the name as it is pronounced 
in English and German, Mmiokasy. 

Manockissee, is another erroneous mode of 
spelling the name of this creek. Almost al- 
ways during the summer months, the bed of 
the creek, a few miles north of Bethlehem, 
becomes as dry as the surrounding " Dry- 
lands," through which it has its course. It 
owes its existence entirely to the springs in 
its vicinity, many of which are in its very 
bed, as can easily be seen during the dry 
spell of any one of our summers. Monockiccy, 
is the way Rupp, in his History of North- 
ampton County, page 79, spells the name of 
the creek. 

There was an old Indian Chief, called Mo- 
nokghichan, living about 1737, it may be pos- 
sible that the name of the creek has some 
connection with him. 
" The Apothecary Shop," or first Drug 



Store in Bethlehem, was kept in the house 
now owned and occupied by Simon Eau, on 
Main Street, near the Moravian Church, and 
which he uses for the same purpose. Dr. 
Matthew Otto was the first Apothecary in the 
town, and in the County. He established his 
Laboratory about 1745. The medicines were 
prepared with great care, and were sent to 
Philadelphia, where they were in much de- 
mand. The profits from this source by the 
Qiconomy were larger than from any other 
kind of manufacture carried on in the vil- 
lage. In 1782, Timothy Horsficld is spoken 
of as having been in charge of the Apothe- 
cary Shop, and after him,Eberhardrreytag 
conducted the business for the Society. 
There are now many very handsome Drug 
Stores in the town; the most extensive of 
which is owned and conducted by Matthew 
M. Selfridge, on Main Street, opposite the 
" Eagle Hotel." His business is both by 
wholesale and retail. Edward T. Myers 
owns also a fine Drug establishment on 
Main Street. He occupies a portion of the 
building as his residence. His lot was for- 
merly included in the " Sun Hotel" proper- 
ty, and was purchased by him only a few 
years ago. 

Themanufactureof Pottery was extensive- 
ly carried on by Lewis Huebener, about the 
3'ear 1782, and previously. It was one of the 
first branches of industry carried on in the 
town. Apple-butter making in those days 
was universal in the vicinity, and when the 
fruit was abundant, the demand for the 
earthen crocks, in which it was put, was 
often so great, that all could not be supplied. 
A most excellent preserve is apple-butter; 
but nothing like the quantity is made now, 
the apple trees seem to be dying out in Penn- 
sylvania; ploughing up the apple orchards 
injures the trees and retards their growth. 
There are in the old gardens in Bethlehem, 
apple trees still bearing immense quantities 
of fruit; the size of those old patriarchs is 
something astonishing. 

Mr. Huebener manufactured tiles for the 
floors in houses; some can be seen in the 
" Sister's House ;" also tiles for the large 



BETULEIIEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



181 



stoTes, made after the fashion of those still 
in use in Germany. Tiles were also made 
for roofing purposes; and the hardware store 
of Henry S. Krause, in Main Street, is 
roofed with some of them, which are as per- 
fect as when first made. Some other ancient 
structures are also covered with these old 
tiles. Pipe heads were also made in large 
quantities. Occasionally small quantities of 
tobacco are raised in the vicinity of Bethle- 
hem, and the manufacture of segars engages 
the attention of a large class of people on the 
line of the North Pennsylvania 'Bail Eoad, 
at the present time. 

In 1771, the Society for the Culture of Silk, 
located in the city of Philadelphia, awarded 
the premium of £10 for the greatest quantity 
of cocoons above twenty thousand, to Joanna 
Elwein, of Bethlehem. Reeled silk was ex- 
tensively manufactured in Pennsylvania 
about this time, and sent to England to be 
woven and returned. The Society prepared 
during this season, one hundred and fifty 
pounds of reeled silk of such quality, as sold 
in England for twenty and twenty-five shil- 
lings per pound, exclusive of the Parliament- 
ary bounty. 

The following article, cut from the Eaaion 
Sentinel, for June, 1834, introduces a well 
known inhabitant of Bethlehem and "a 
mammoth trout. General Cadwalader and 
lady, of Philadelphia, being on a visit to 
Bethlehem, Pa., Mr. George H. Goundie pre- 
sented to Mr. Zeigler, of the Eayle Hotel, one 
of the largest tirook trout perhaps ever known 
in this country, which was served up in his 
best style, at a dinner on last Monday to the 
General and lady, and a party of ladies and 
gentlemen of Bethlehem. The trout meas- 
ured 22 inches in length, 19 inches in cir- 
cumference, and weighed 7i pounds; it was 
raised by Mr. Jacob Schneider, of the Lehigh 
Water Gap, who has kept it for the last si.x 
years in a trough in the second story of his 
house. We understand Mr. Goundie, of Beth- 
lehem, has about 400 fine trout yet in his 
trout house, measuring from 10 to 17 inches 
in length." 
Dr. John FKEDEnicK Augustus Steckel, 



was a Swedish Physician, who resided for 
a number of years in Bethlehem. He was 
full oifun, wit and anecdote. His language 
was an odd mixture of Swedish, German and 
English, and it was said that " Dr. Steckel 
spoke no language." The following lines 
are attributed to him, or what is more pro- 
bable, are written in imitation of his peculiar 
mode of speech. 



FAREWELL TO BETULEUEM. 

By Dr. John Frederick Augustus Steckel, 
November 24th, 1826. 

Oh Bethlehem dou'rt not the leasht. 

In .Tudas Coundry in de Eiisht, 

Don Bethlehem here in Immidashon, 

Were Bilgrims come from every nashon 

To see the wonders dat are dolt 

Wit dose gued friends I oft did go 

To show and dell them all I know, 

Of Judas lanti could not dell 

Where Sheperds mil dere sheep did dwell ; 

But as dia is a new creashon 

Of harmless lambs of every nashon, 

Who know dere Sheperd's voice and view 

De Bath he leads, and him persue 

Dat Basture wich did feed dat Flock 

Bermitted friends at tree o'clock 

Do witness all dere Educashon 

Dere science great and recreashon 

Mit music charms — Angelic strain 

Were Joy and bleasure banish Bain, 

All dose enjoyments I dit view 

Must leave them all and bit Adieu 

Oh Lehigh I dou shweet stream dat rolls, 

Eulivent by dine Arls wit Coals 

May prosperous dy commerce free 

Dy floating arks returning be, 

Wit passengers from ev'ry nashon 

To visit Bethlehem's situa^hou; 

No more dose scenes I shall sui^ey, 

Dy burling stream dat flows so gay, 

Dy Croves, dy Isle, dy Crysbtall Spring 

We wistom shtrengtb and beauty sing. 

Where Choirs of Angels by us glite 

Wit dere fair purses by their side 

Embark in safe Abbottos' barge 

And on Kallihso^s Island march. 

Enjoy dere habbiness and sing, 

Make rocks and vales shweet echoes bring 

Dose shweet delights I oft dit view 

JIust leave dem all and bit adieu 

And since stern fate has bit me go, 

Do all my friends I bit adieu : 

I leave you all wit great regret 



182 



HISTOIIICAL SKETCH OF 



Your blessing shall attend my speed 
Your Bymbathetic sorrows klaini 
My warmest tanks, accept de same. 

Farcv.'ell my friends, fate bits me go, 
FareiiveU my neighbors all — Adieu 
No more I'll see dose tender scenes 
Were lovely youts widen dere deona 
Mit dears of Joy dere frients did meet 
Or part wid dem wit sore regret 
My heart dit melt wit tenderness 
Do see their Joy or sore regret 
From scenes like dese I now must go, 
And bit my dear young friends adieu ; 
Your joyful hearts wid mine dit glow 
On all cccashons you dit show 
WhenjoyfuU med on feshdel daya 
To celebrade our Saviour's praise 
AVit muBic, joyful hymns dit sing 
De glory of our heavenly King, 
But all is lost I Fate bits me go 
Farewell fair sisters all — Adieu, 
Now Flora, beautiful and gay, 
De dime is come, I musht obey, 
I worshib'd dee all day and night, 
Dy fragrant blushus were my delight 
Not mine alone, but all mankind 
Did by dere bresence pleasure fint 
But fate decrees dat I must go. 
And leave you now, and bit adieu. 
No more I hear the serenading, 
Mitin thy Bowry consecrating, 
Mit soft harmonious symphony, 
Mit bleasing notes and cheerful glee. 
No more dose airs, dat gentle dell, 
De shweeteat sound, De Convent Bell ; 
From all dose scenes mit grief I go 
And bit fair Flora now adieu. 
De signal sounts, it calls me fort, 
It points to Sout, I have de Kord; 
Perhaps to Eaaht, perhaps toWesht, 
Wich bleases God is for de best, 
No wife, no child, laments for me, 
From dose afflicsions I am free, 
Farewell my fronts, fate bits mo go 
Farewell! Farewell I once more adieu. 



On the 2nd of January, 1871, " The 
"Widow's Society, of Betldehem,^* celebrated 
its lOOth Anniversary, at that place. One 
Inindred members of the Society from Nazar- 
eth and Bethlehem, were present at the 
meeting and partook of a social Love-feast; 
the Right Rev. Brother, Bishop Edmund de 
Schweinitz, presiding. 



The name of the Society does not fully ex- 
press its object, which is, to insure to the 
widows of the deceased members, a yearly 
dividend, the income being divided pro rata 
among the claimants. Members are received 
at any age, the custom has, however, been to 
permit young men to become members upou 
their marriage, on their paying a subscrip- 
tion fee of fifty dollars. There are no other 
payments to be made to the Society, except 
by such as join after they are fifty years 
old, in that case, they pay annually, in ad- 
dition to the entrance fee, one dollar. 

The Society was organized January 1st, 
1771. The firstpayments amounted to £950, 
Pennsylvania currency. That sum was 
loaned to James Burnside, on a mortgage on 
the Nain Indian Mission propertij, which had 
been purchased by him. 

In 1S21, the Society was chartered by the 
Legislature. The invested assets of the cor- 
poration now amount to the sum of $32,000. 

Any male member of the Moravian Church 
in Americaf being in sound health, may be- 
come a member of the Society, and his widow 
after his death, will receive her pro rata 
share of the yearly income of the Society 
during the remainder of her life. 

The present officers of the Society are : 

John Matthew Miksch, President. 

Rudolph Rauch, Treasurer, 

Rev. Ambrose Rondthaler, Seeretary. 

Bethlehem has some few public buildings 
viz: — The Citizen'Sf Concert, Masonic, and 
Christian Association Halls, used for the 
meetings of the respective societies, and for 
such other societies as are common in Ameri- 
can towns. 

The first National Bank of Bethlehem has 
a handsome banking house on Main Street, 
nearly opposite the Sun Hotel, with a fine 
dwelling attached for the cashier. Charles 
Augustus Luckenback is the Presidentof the 
Institution. 

The Vineyardsy on the west bank of the 
Manokasy Creek, where the attempt was 
made to cultivate the grape, and failed; has 
been cut up into building lots, and is now 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



183 



covered by the houses and gardens of the 
thriving village ofWest Bethlehem. 

In 1S53, the Pennsylvania and Lehigh 
Zinc Company's works were erected on the 
lands of the " Crown Farm,"' and have be- 
come the nucleus of quite a large town. It 
was first laid out by Cliarles Augustus Luck- 
enback, in 1849, and called ^wjii8(«, the name 
was after changed in 1S54, and the town 
called Wetherill, out of compliment to Col. 
Sainuel 'Wetherill, one of the projectors of 
the place. Subsequently the name was again 
changed to Bethlehem South, and finally, in 
1SC5, it was incorporated as a borough under 
its present name of South EExnLEHEM, and 
Louis F. Beckel, elected Chief Burgess. At 
the present time, Elisha P. Wilbur is the 
Chief Burgess; and the town contains a popu- 
lation of about 3,656 souls. 

The Zinc "Works were put in operation in 
the fall of the year 1853. These works were 
built by Col. Samuel Wetherill, for the pur- 
pose of making the White Oxide of Zinc 
under his Patents. Sjidter was first made 
here from Lehigh ores, in 1S54, and for seve- 
ral years thereafter costly experiments were 
made by Col. Wetherill, to discover mixtures 
of refractory clay which would stand the 
heat required to make zinc; in 1S5S, he dis- 
covered a satisfactory mixture, and adopted 
a plan, which was not completed when the 
" Great Rebellion" broke out. Then the man 
of science, like a gallant gentleman, dropped 
his crucibles and retorts, and entered the 
service of his country, as a Captain of cavalry 
in the 11th regiment of Pennsylvania volun- 
teers, September 25, 1861, with a company 
raised by his own exertions, and served with 
distinction until he was mustered out as a 
JIajor, on October 1, 1864, after having par- 
ticipated in forty-two battles and skirmishes, 
witliout having received a wound. On the 
13th of March, 1S65, he was brevetted a 
Lieut. Colonel for his services before Rith- 
mond, Va. 

In the meantime, the Zinc Company had 
imported skilled laborers from France, and 
put in practice the French process with great 
success. 



In 1864, they erected the first sheet zinc 
rolling mill in the United States. And on 
the 1st of April, 1865, the first sheet zinc 
ever made in America, was rolled there un- 
der the direction of Professor Alexander 
Trippel. 

The Company's mines are situated near 
thevillageofFriedensville, inSaucou Valley, 
about four miles south of Bethlehein, on the 
old Post Road to Philadelphia, and close to 
the southern side of the Lehigh Hills. The 
ore is hauled to the works, over the hills by 
horse-teams. The largest mine is known by 
the name of the Ueberroth Zinc Mine. Thi.; 
deposit of zinc ore was first discovered by 
Wm. Theodore Roepper, (Professor, now, of 
Mineralogy and Geology, in the Lehigh 
University,) in the year 1845. 

The structures erected by the " Bethlehem 
Iron Company," in South Bethlehem, for 
their Iron Works, are a splendid series of 
buildings, of magnificent proportions, and 
attract great attention. The works have now 
been in successful operation for over ten 
years, under the very able superintendence 
of Mr. John Fritz, of Bethlehem. 

A Paper Bag Manufactory was started in 
Bethlehem in 1854, by Mr. Francis Wolle, 
the inventor, and is called the Union Paper 
Bag Machine Company, 

Bethlehem baskets, very handsome and 
very strong, are a specialty with some Mo- 
ravian folks in the vicinity of the town ; they 
make them of all sizes, and being very dura- 
ble, they find a ready sale. 

There are some comfortable old fashioned 
chairs manufactured in the town by JJichael 
Stuber, called Bethlehehem chairs, which 
have quite a reputation in Philadelphia and 
New York, and are in much demand. Some 
of the queer old chairs made and used iu 
Bethlehem when it was first settled, are still 
to be found in many old residences, and iu 
the Museum of the Missionary Society; being 
made of boards, they look stiff, and are hard 
and uncomfortable to sit upon. They are of 
the kind quite common to be seen in German 
paintings, even of the present day, and are 
still iu use in some parts of Germany. 



IS-i 



IIISTOKICAL SKETCH OF 



Bethlehem ha3 many handsome private 
residences, but the most deserving of notice 
in that respect, is the one erected by Dr. 
Frederick Martin, at the northwest corner 
of Marljet and Eight Streets. Dr. Martin, 
also built afterwards a very handsome house 
on the highest point in South Bethlehem, 
now owned and occupied by Eobert F. Pac- 
Iter. John Leach has erected a very iiue 
private residence for his family, on Market 
Street; as have also John M. Miksch and 
John B. Zimmele. Weston Dodson, Augustus 
Wolle, Abraham S. Sehropp, Cornelius W. 
Knauss, Charles Brodhead, Esq., Ambrose J. 
Erwin, Eichard W. Leibert, and others, have 
handsome residences. 

There are but few indications now of 
Bethlehem being a Moravian settlement. 
In 1S42, the " lease system" was abrogated, 
and the land sold on irredeemable ground 
rents. In 1845, the town was incorporated 
as a borough j and in 1S51, the ground rents 
were made redeemable; since then the town 
has rapidly increased in size and population. 
Portions of the old town alone retain in some 
degree its ancient characteristics ; the manu- 
factories being mostly confined to the vi- 
cinity of the river, railroads and canal, while 
on the Hill are built the residences of the 
increasing population. 

In 1S67, the" K ew Street Bridge Company" 
was incorporated, and the bridije, 1170 feet 
in length, was constructed of wood, standing 
on eight piers, spanning the Lehigh and 
Susquehanna Eailroad, the Lehigh Canal, 
the Manokasy Creek, the Sand Island, the 
Lehigh Eiver, and the Lehigh Valley Eail- 
road, and connects the two towns of Bethle- 
hem and South Bethlehem. It was first 
opened for travel on the 21st day of August, 
1S67, although no tolls were taken till the 
first of September. The toll-house, erected 
in 18(59, is a iine brick oflSce, with a com- 
fortable dwelling attached, for the family of 
the toll-keeper, it stands on the east side of 
the northern extremity of the bridge. The 
bridge is a very handsome and graceful struc- 
ture; and the fine views from it of the sur- 
rounding country, make ita place of frequent 



resort for all visitors to the town. The origi- 
nal cost of this bridge was $G5,000. 

The Broad Street Bridije, which was com- 
pleted and opened for travel in the month of 
April, 1871, connects the old portion of the 
town with the new part, now rapidly build- 
ing, called West Bethlehem. The new struc- 
ture is of iron, extending across the deep 
ravine down which the Manokasy flows in 
its course through the town. The bridge 
is a very high and graceful affair, with a 
roadway for vehicles, and side walks for 
passengers; and from it there are exten- 
sive views up and down the Manokasy. This 
bridge was constructed by Samuel E. Dick- 
son, of New Haven, Connecticut. It is 400 
feet in length, and 70 feet above the water. 
The superstructure is of wrought iron, upon 
cast iron piers, the parts are fastened to- 
gether with hot rivets, of which there were 
38,000 used. The entire cost of the erection 
was about $50,000. 

The handsome Episcopal church in South 
Bethlehem, was built in the 3'ear 1SG4, and 
the Eectory in 1866. The Eev. E. N. Potter, 
son of the late Bishop Alonzo Potter, of 
Pennsylvania, was the first rector, and was 
succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Nevin, better 
known during theEebellion as the comman- 
der of " Nevin's Celebrated Battery of Ar- 
tillery." The Eev. Cortland Whitehead is 
the present incumbent. 

Since the insertion of (lie Military Eecord 
of Bethlehem, there has been quite a revival 
in martial affairs in the vicinity. Gen. 
James L. Selfridge, having been appointed 
by Governor Geary, Division Commander, 
with the rank of Major General, and several 
volunteer companies formed, viz : — Selfridrjc 
Guards, Company A, organized Dec. 15, 1870, 
James R. Roney^ Captain; 0. C. Zeigen/uss, 1st 
Lieut. ; M'dlon A. Beahm, 2ud Lieut. ; Ser- 
geants, Frederick J. Rice, Orderly, ClintonT. 
Weaver, George, D. Myers, Ammon A. Gard- 
ner, Victor A. Desh ; Corporals, Geo. B. Fick- 
art, Joseph P. Miller, William F. Beckel, 
George M. Wilhelm, Charles Keller, Albert 
Kleckner, Edward Borhek, and 48 privates. 

Sef/ridrfe Guards, Company B,, J, A'fred 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



18; 



Mohr, Coptain ; Daniel Fatzinger, 1st Lieut. ; 
Francis Engle, 2nd Lieut., and 49 men. 

And in South Bethlehem the Wilbur 
Ottaida, organized in. August, 1870, II. J. 
Whertie, CajiiaXv.; Michael Boyle, 1st Lieut.; 
M. J. Ryan, 2nd Lieut., and 45 non-com- 
missioned officers and privates. 

The LEHIGH UNIVERSITY is located in 
South Bethlehem. The college went into 
operation on Sep. 1st, A. D. 1865, with a 
class of forty-three students, (See programme 
of Examination of June 25, 1SG7,) with Col. 
Henet Coppee, L. L. D, a graduate of the 
U. S. Military Academy at "West Point, as 
President. 

This magnificent institution owes its ex- 
istence to the generosity of Asa Packer, who 
of his own volition, in the year 1SG5 appro- 
priated out of his large private fortune, the 
sum of $500,000, and fifty-six acres of land 
on the north side of the Lehigh hills, for the 
purpose of founding this educational insti- 
tute. 

The design of the founder in making this 
munificent endowment, was to provide for 
the young men of Lehigh Valley the means 
of acquiring such a complete professional 
education,as would fit them for the practical 
and active pursuits of this country. This 
view is to be kept continually in mind, so 
that civil engineering, mining, chemistry, 
metallurgy, agriculture and railway cou- 
truction, are to be the chief branches. 

" University Day," June 24, 1869, was 
held in the chapel of the magnificent pile 
known as " Packer Hall," where the first 
pupils of the college graduated, their names 
were J. Haynes Corbin, Barbadoes, N. J. ; 
Miles Eock, Lancaster, Pa.; Chas. E. Rou- 
aUlson, Philadelphia; Charles W. Roepper 
and Clarence A. WoUe, Bethlehem, Pa. 

Previous to the erection of Packer Hall, 
the lecture rooms and students' quarters, 
were located at " Christmas Hall," once the 
Moravian Mission Chapel in South Bethle- 
hem, now included in the grounds of the Uni- 
versity. Charles Brodhead, Esq., of Bethle- 
hem, presented the University with seven 
ad'^i'if nal acres of ground, and Mr. Robert 



11. Sayre erected at his own expense, an 
Astronomical Observatory on the grounds of 
the Institute, for the use of the students. 

The course of study lasts for four years. 
The first two years of the student are devoted 
to such elementary branches as are needful 
to fit a young man for any profession or 
business in life he may afterwards see pro- 
per to follow. The last two years are given 
to the study of any particular branch the 
pupil may decide upon as the one necessaiy 
to success in the business he intends to pur- 
sue during life. The approximate expenses 
for tuition,* board, books, and washing, may 
be set down as a maximum of $350 per year. 
There are two competitive scholarships in 
each class, which entitle the gainers to room 
rent, board and tuition, free for the success- 
ful academic year. It is to be hoped that 
the college may be endowed by men of 
wealth with more such scholarships; the 
rules of the Institute permit it, and the 
scholarship will bear the name of the person 
making the endowment. Partial courses 
may also be taken by such as desire to study 
only some particular branch taught in the 
College, in which they desire to become pro- 
ficient. 

The faculty of the University consists at 
present, of 

Hexry Coppee, President, 
Professor of Uistory and English Literature. 

PROFESSORS. 

Eev. Eljphat,et Nott Pottek, M. A., 

Professor of Moral and Mental Philosophy and of 

Christian Evidences. 

CnAKEES F. Chajs'diee, successor to 

Charles Mayer Wetherill, Ph. D., M. D.,t 

Professor of Chemistry. 

HiEBO B. Hebb, in place of 

* By a late further gift of Judge Packer, tuition is 
given free of charge. 

t Dr. Charles Mayer Wetherill, Ph. D., Professor of 
Chemistry in the Lehigh University, died suddenly on 
Sunday morning, March 5th, 1871, of disease of the 
heart, at liis residence, in South Bethlehem, Pa. He 
was a son of the late Charles and Margaretta S. Weth- 
erill, of Philadelpdia. 



186 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



Edwin Wright Morgan, LL.D., deceased* 

Professor of Mathematics and Jlechanics. 

Alfked MAESiiAiL Mayek, Pii.D., 

Professor of Physics and Astronomy. 

Wn-LLiM Theodore Eoepper, Esq., 

Professor of Mineralogy and Geology, and Curator of 

the Museum. 

H. Stajs'let GooDwrs, C. E., 

Demonstrator of Civil Engineering. 

Benjamin W. Feazier, Professor, and 

ElCHARD P. EoTH'WELL, C. E., 
Demonstrator of Mining and Metallurgy. 

Charles F. Kroeh, A. M., 

Instructor of French and German. 

Mr. Waidron Siiapleigh, 

Instructor in Chemistry. 

J. N. B.\JtR, S.B., 

Instructor of Slathematics and Drawing. 

William A. Lamberton, A. M., 

Instructor of Greek and Latin. 

Founder of the University, 

Hon. Asa Packek. 

Board of Trustees. 
Eight Rev. Wm. Bacon Stevens, D.D., 
Bishop of Pennsylvania, President. 
Hon. Asa Packer, Mauch Chunk. 
Charles Brodhead, Esq., Bethlehem. 
W. F. Conyngham, Esq., "Wilks-Barre. 
Franklin B. Gowen, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Mr. George W. Childs, " 

H. Stanley Goodwin, Bethlehem. 
Rev. Cortland Whitehead, " 
Eckley B. Coxe, Philadelphia. 
J. I. Blakslee, Mauch Chunk. 
Chas. 0. Sheer, 
Rev. L. Coleman, " 
Hon. I. W. Maj-nard, Eastou. 
Mr. Rohert II. Sayre, South Bethlehem. 

* On April 16, 1S69.— Colonel Edwin Wright Morgan, 
Professor of Mathematics and Mechanics at Lehigh 
University, died at the Sun Hotel, Bethlehem. II-' 
entered the U. S. Mililary Academy at West Point in 
1S33, and graduated third in hi* class in 1S37. Served 
as Lieutenant-Cnlonel of the Eleventh Infantry U. S. 
A. in tlie Mexican War, after which, he accepted the 
Superintendency of the Kentucky Institute, which 
post he filled to the opening of the civil war. Colonel 
Morgan, hy hid high attainments and skill, did much 
to produce and give excellence to the public works 
of Pennsylvania and Kcntuckyand other States. 



Mr. Wm. H. Sayre, Jr., South Bethlehem. 
Mr. Robert A. Packer, Secretary, " 
G. B. Linderman, M.D., " 

Mr. John Fritz, Bethlehem, Pa. 
Mr. Harry E. Packer, Mauch Chunk. 
Mr. Joseph Harrison, Jr., Philadelphia. 
Mr. Elisha P. Wilbur, Treasurer. 
Mr. Ed. Tuckerman Potter, Architect. 
Capt. James Jenkins, Constructor. 

Homo Minister et Interpres Naturtx. 

The Lehigh University is now under the 
auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
and the buildings are handsome and in good 
taste, except the wooden erection covered with 
slate, forming a kind of a steeple on the 
stone tower at the western end of " Packer 
Hall." This should be torn away, and the 
top of the stone tower, which is a model struc- 
ture ," should be embattled, like those of an- 
cient castles, from which on " High-days" 
and holidays, our starry banner could be 
given to the winds. Why a university should 
have a steeple like a church, as was the 
original intention, I am sure I don't know, 
unless it is because there is a chapel con- 
nected with it. It was once the intention to 
put a steeple on the Masonic Temple at 
Philadelphia, as will be seen by the original 
plan, fortunately a protest in the Sunday Dis- 
patch, prevented the Temple of our Honora- 
ble and Ancient Order, from being mis- 
taken for a church. 

SnjDEXTS or THE FIRST CLASS. 

From the fourth page of the Programme 
of the Lehigh University. 
First UNIVERSITY DAY, June 25, 1SG7. 

Including those who have been in attendance 
from Sep't 1, 1866 to Se}>'t 1, 1867. 

Howland L. Ashmead, Philadelphia, 

Leiiman Preston Ashmead, PhiJadeljyhia. 

Edward C. Boutclle, Bdldeliem, Pa. 

r.ichard Brodhead, South Bdldeliem. 

William K. Butler, Mauch Chunl;, Pa. 

Richard J. Carter, Tamaqua, Pa. 

J. naynes II. Corhin, Barhadocs, IT. 7. 

George L. Cummins, Louisville, Ky. 

Milton Dimmick, Mauch Chunk, Pa, 

E. Albert Dobbins, ^Vcio York City. 

J. T. Reynolds Evans, Fort Wai/7ie, hut. 

Frank E. Forster, Muncy, Pa, 

Charles W. Forster, Mauch Chunk, Pa, 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



187 



John Iluut, Catasa2tgua, I\i. 
George A. Jenkius, SouOi BcihUhan. 
Henry C. Jenkins, Soidh Bdhhlion. 
■William H. Jenkins, Wt/oming, Pa. 
■William J. Kerr, Jr., iVew Tor?: City. 
A. Nelson Lewis, Savre-de- Grace, Md. 
Peter D. Ludwig, Tamaqua, Fa. 
Lawrence B. McCube, Havre-de-Grace. 
Charlea McKee, Princeton, ITL 
George McMullin^ Mauch Chunk, Pa. 
Asa A. Packer, Nesquehoning, Pa. 
Harry E, Packer, Maiich Chiml; Pa. 
William L. Paine, Wills-Barre, Pa. 
Joseph M. Piullet, Wi/sox, Pa. 
Harry R. Price, St. Clair, Pa. 
Henry B. Reed, Phtladtljyhia^ Pa. 
Richard H. Roberts, Bethlehem, Pa. 
Charles W. Roepper, BethUhcm, Pa. 
Wm. R, Donaldson, Phi'addpkia. 
Jeremiah Ryan, Soidh Bethlehan. 
James K. Shoemaker, Mauch CkunJc. 
John M. Thome, Palmyra, Pa. 
Josiah Wertz, Bdhlchem, Pa. 
Baruet West, Bdhlchem, Pa. 
Robert P. Weston, Mauch OtunJc, Pa. 
Charles Wetherill, Phccnixvillc, Pa. 
William C. Wetherill, Bdhhhan, Pa. 
Clarence A.Wolle, Bdhkhcm, Pa. 
Russel B. Yates, Waverly, J^. T. 
Miles Rock, Lancaster, Pa. 

During the Summer of 1821, Joseph Boxa- 
PARTE visited Bethlehem for the benefit of 
his health, and put himself under the medi- 
cal care of the late Dr. Daniel Green, an 
eccentric and noted physician of that day. 
The doctor and the pure mountain air eflcci- 
ed a speedy cure of the ills of the former king 
of Spain, and he paid his physician "what 
was a handsome fee in those days, a golden 

The incident was thus recorded by Judge 
Franks, under date of August 23, 1S21. 

King Joe, it is said, took it into head, 

To Bethlehem air to repair. Sir; 
To exhibit his wealth, and to better h.'s health, 

Under Doctor Green's medical care, Sir. 

Nest morning at dawn, king Joe gave a yawn, 
And expecting his aches — ope'd his eyes. Sir; 

Bnt noble Green's skill had cured every ill. 
And the monarch rose np in surprise, Sir. 

♦Johannes — a Portugese gold coin of the value of 
about (SS) eight dollars. 



For the doctor he call'd — for the doctor he bawl'd, 
To bo knighted at once on the spot, Sir; 

But the doctor was wise, and cnst down his eyes, 
And the honor of knighthood declined, Sir. 

Said, " a boon will I crave, with your majesty's 

leave, * 

And a grant of it hope I will find. Sir; 
In the course of my life, and that too without a wife, 

I ne'er could save a poor shilling, Sir. 

" Now, a great Joe I have saved, and the boon I crave. 

Is a little Joe, if you are willing, firl 
The king in amaze, at the doctor did gaze, 

And soon cro?s'd his hand with thegnid, Sir — 
Then jiacked up his purses, wentoflF willi his horses 

Leaving naught but the tale to be told, Sir. 
Among the many illustrious travellers 
who, about this time, visited Bethlehem, 
may be mentioned the Duke of Weimer, 
then a fine, handsome looking man, who 
was entertained by Dr. Steckel, at the '* Eagle 
Hotel," and was serenaded by the *'01d 
Bethlehem Band." The Duke wrote his 
travels in America, and mentions Bethle- 
hem, Leibert's Tannery, its steam engine, 
and Dr. Steckel. A copy of this work, in 
the German, was presented to the Bethlehem 
Library Company ^ but I have been Unable to 
find it. I came across in the library, how- 
ever, an old and valuable History of London, 
presented to the Library Company in 1847, 
by Dr. Thomas Horsfield, a former resident 
of the town. 

It was not until 1745 that the first public 
roads in this part of the State were laid out ; 
yet, even after that, for many years the for- 
mer mode of travel remained the same; in 
fact, until 1782, all business was carried on 
by expresses on horseback. A visit by any 
of the people of Bethlehem to Philadelphia, 
was an event of rare occurrence, and was 
only undertajien once or twice a year, and 
then only by those whose affairs rendered 
such a trip absolutely necessary. 

David Nitschman and his company, con- 
sisting of about one hundred persons, came 
to Bethlehem in the year 1742, on foot, hav- 
ing pack-horses carrying all their worldly 
goods; along what was known in those days 
as the Great Minmssink Trail, which had 
been used for many centuries by the Min- 



188 



HISTORICAL R K E T C n OF 



nissi trib3 of Indians, (who lived in the re- 
gions beyond the Blue Mountains,) in their 
journeys to the Delaware. This trail or path 
crossed the Lehigh River at " Jones' Island,' 
aboutone mile east of Bethlehem ; and passed 
through the Blue Eidge at the Wind-gap, 
into the wilderness to the north. 

Jedidiah Irish built the mill at Shimers- 
ville on Saueon Creek sometime prior to the 
year 1740. It is the oldest mill in North- 
ampton County, of which we have any re- 
cord. In the year 1743, the Moravians of 
Bethlehem petitioned the court of Bucks 
County for permission to lay out a road from 
their settlement to Saucou Mill. The mill 
and land attached to it was not long after- 
wards purchased by John Curry, a Philadel- 
phia lawyer, who resided at the mill for 
many years, and established a ferry over 
the Lehigh River near by, which retained 
(he name of " Curry's Ferry," until the year 
1S16, when Henry Jarret built the bridge 
over the Lehigh at Freemansburg. Conrad 
Omensetter was the Ferryman at Curry's 
Ferry during the Revolutionary war. 

The following interesting event is copied 
from the jVeio York Gazette and Post Boij, of 
June 19, 1S49. 

" The beginning of this month three natives 
o^ Greenlandj two young men and a young wo- 
man, converted to the Christian religion by the 
Moravian Missionaries in that country, were in 
this city on a visit to the Brethren here. They 
loft their own country about two years since, in 
the ship belonging to that Society, which had 
carried a ready made framed church to be erected 
there, Greenland offering no wood for building. 
This vessel sailed from this port a few days a<jo 
for Davis' Straits, with some of the Green- 
landers on buard, who have visited Brethren in 
several parts of Europe, as England, Holland 
and Germany. They were clad in seal skins, 
with the hair on, after the manner of their own 
country, their eyes and hair black, like our In- 
dians, but their complexion somewhat lighter. 
The Moravians, it seems, have a Mission also at 
Barhill, near Surinam, and two Indian converts 
from thence, with these Greenlanders, met lately 
at Bethlehem, in this province, (a settlement of 



the Moravians,) with some of the Delaware In- 
diaTS, and some Jfohickona, converts also of tie 
Moravians; and though their native lands were 
so vastly remote as the latitude 6.41 and 65 
N. yet they observed thateach others hair, eyes 
and complexion, convinced them that they were 
all of the same race. They could find, how- 
ever, no similitude in their several languages." 
See the first number of the Unitas Fratrum, 
Philadelphia, July, 1S70. 

On the first of July, 1792, the first Post- 
office was established at Bethlehem, and 
Joseph Horsfield appointed Postmaster, a 
line of stages was then started to run between 
the town and Philadelphia; the trip occu- 
pied then nearly two days, but the time was 
alterwards reduced, (in the year 1798,) to one 
day, by the mail stage. The stages continued 
in use until the month of January, 1S57, 
when the North Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany commenced to run regular passenger 
trains. 

An old writer discourses on this subjectas 
follows : 

" In regard to travelling by private mem- 
bers of the Bethlehem Moravians, the rules 
of the Society made it incumbent upon them 
to have the consent and approval of the 
clergy to leave the town for even a day's 
time; and the undertaking a journey to 
Philadelphia or New York, was first taken 
into serious consideration by the Overseer's 
College, as well as by the clergy in general 
conference assembled. 

" Very few of the Moravians availed them- 
selves of the public stages in the early period 
of their use. Their retired habits made it 
very uncongenial to them to be in the com- 
pany of strangers; and in fact the Moravians 
of Bethlehem from 17-12 to 1800, whilst they 
lived in the world, were not of the world. 
Therefore, a more congenial method was 
adopted. There was a private stage in Bethle- 
hem, owned and conducted by one of the 
Church members; this was hired by parties 
for the purpose. It was customary whenever 
any person had a. business call from any 
town, to defer the attending to it till others 
had similar motives inducing them to take 



B E T II L E II E M, PENNSYLVANIA. 



18L) 



a journey; iu this wise, sis or eight persons 
associated themselves, and hired friend Adam 
Luekeubach and his stage. To carry out 
this intention, frequently required several 
weeks' negotiations until the company was 
formed. Bef .Te starting, several days more 
were consumed to make the needful prepara- 
tions for the journey. All manner of cakes 
and p'es were baked, hams boiled, cofiee 
ground, Ac. The event created great interest 
in tlie town; and in the f;;inilies of the men 
of the party, a commotion w.ns observable 
that portended an unusual occurence. This 
preparation was necessary. Our travelers 
did not stop at any of the taverns along the 
road. The stage driver touU with him a bug 
of oats, which was Fufely stowed u:^dcr the 
seat of the stage, a bucket fjr watering the 
horses, swung under the body of the vehicle; 
and a trough for feeding them, was tied on 
behind. Thus provided, he fed his horses at 
a spring or brook jilongside ite road; whilst 
the pajsengers regaled themselves out of the 
store of provisions in their baskets. Upon 
arriving at a tavern or a farm-house, in the 
evening, they .asked the use of a coffee or a 
tea-pot, the exhilarating beverage being pre- 
pared by them; each recurred to his or her 
basket, and appeased their appetites out of it. 
This manner of travelling was consonant to 
the feelings of the Moravians." 

The Moravians were always careful in for- 
mer times, to locate their taverns at some 
distance from their settlements, to keep their 
people free from contract with the world ; 
and to avoid as much as possible the prying 
curiosity of travellers. At Bethlehem, the 
first iini, "The Crown," was erected on the 
south bank of the Lehigh. And r.t Nazareth 
the first tavern was built at the distance of 
a mile from the town. 

In the Northampton Conservative, of Feb- 
ruary 16, 1870, a weekly newspaper publish- 
ed by Milton F. Gushing, iu South Eethle- 
hem, which at that date had reached its 
seventy-third number, we find the following 
interesting account of the " Cnow.v Inn." 

" In 1743, one hundred and twenty-seven 
vears ago, the first tavern was built near the 



river, where now stands the fine Union depot. 
We will picture the place as it then stood, in all 
its rural simplicity. Toiling over rough roads 
for many uays, indeed, a three days' journey 
from Philadelphia, the eye was gladdened on 
coming down the mountain, and following a 
small silvery brook, shaded by overhanging 
forest trees, and on taking a short turn to the 
west, this old hostelry came in view, an old 
log house, two stories high, with those small 
windows so common in that day, the low porch 
with carved pillars, the peaked roof, tlie well 
sweep, and many different objects that met your 
eye on approaching this old retreat, gave a 
charm to the landscape around. Down by the 
river stood a large sycamore tree, and upon a 
hook ilrivcn in the tree, hung the horn to sum- 
mon the ferryman, if you desired to visit the 
Moravians on the other side. In those days of 
loyalty to the house of Brunswick, it bore the 
crown of (Jeorge II, on the panel of the double 
door of the main entrance to this humble 
hostelry. On the conclusion of his lonely for- 
est journey, the trave'.ler could enjoy the frugal 
hospitalities of the house, at the following 
rates : 

Breakfast, with tea or coffee, 4 pence ; din- 
ner 6 pence, and with a pint of beer, S pence ; 
supper 4 pence, or if hot, 6 pence ; lodging 2 
pence; night's hay and oats, 12 pence. In the 
long, low reception room, at the farther end of 
which was the bar, with its few decanters and 
glasses, among the rest of bar room furniture 
found about the bar in those days, were pow- 
der hrns, bullet-pouches, guus, deer horns, 
Ac. In a little 6 by 9 frame, hung the License, 
which was granted iu 1746, in the 33rd year of 
the reign of the Sovereign Lord, George the 
Second, by the Grace of God, king of Great 
Britain, Franco, Ireland, Ac, to the Moravian 
congregation of Bethlehem. 

It was at this house George Washington 
stopped over night with his staff o.i a visit to 
Gen. LaFayette, who lay wounded in Bethle- 
hem. 

We have still in our possession the old front 
door of this house, and t':e door of the room iu 
which Washington slept. The difi"erent land- 
lords, who acted both as landlord and ferryman 



190 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 



at diiferent time?, were Ephraim Culver, in 
KG3— Valentiue Foubrer, in I7S2; and in 1791 
llie tavern was converted into a farm bouse — 
the old Sun Hotel being built at tbat time. 

Several years ago the bouse was bought by 
our townsman, D. I. Yerkcs, who removed 
it to mal^e room for the Korth Penn. Eailroad, 
but the old structure still remains as the Conti- 
nental Hotel of this place." 

In the 1st volume of the " Memorials of 
the Moravian Church," beginning at page 
-02, will be found the following interesting 
statement relative to the old Inn. 

"The Crown (Die Krone,) originally the 
cabin of a Swiss sinatter, Ritsche by name, 
who settled on the south bank of the river, 
in 1742. In February, 1743, the tract of 274 
acres on which he was seated, was purchased 
by the Brethren of Wm. Allen. They bought 
the squatter off and out, leased the premises 
to one Anton Gilbert, from Germantown, 
then to one Adam Schaues, and in 1745, after 
having enlarged the building, opened it 
for public entertainment. It was stocked 
in May of that year with gill and half- 
yill pewter wine measures, with 2 dram 
glasses; 2 hogsheads of cider; 1 cask of 
mctheglin ; 1 cask of rum ; 6 pewter plates ; 
iron candlesticks, and whatever else could 
minister to the creature comforts of thetired 
traveller. Here he was served with a break- 
fast of tea or coffee at four pence, a dinner 
at six pence, a pint of beer at three pence, a 
supper at four pence, or if hot, at six pence ; 
with lodgings at two pence, and a night's 
hay and oats for his horse at twelve pence. 
Jnst Vullert was the first landlord for the 
Brethren. The succession of publicans to 
the end of this piece of history were as fol- 
lows ; — Hartmann Verdries, J. Godfrey 
Grabs, Nicholas Schaeffer and Ephriam 
Culver. In 1794, the sign-board, emblazoned 
witii the British Crown, that had often served 
as a mark for the arrows of the wild Indian 
boys of Tredi/utcui'f/^s Compaui/y was taken 
down, and the oM hostelry converted into a 
farm house. « « s » » ® 
At an early day the Brethren built several 
houses near the Crown, and thus a small 



settlement sprang up on the south side of 
the river. A school for girls, and subse- 
quently one for boys. An/ clcr Gcdnldf was 
temporarily conducted here." 

When the Moravians first settled at Beth- 
lehem, Loskiel states that there was but two 
houses in the vicinity inhabited by white 
people. It is said that the two families re- 
ferred too, were the Kieahtcins, and the Let's, 
The former lived at the foot of the Lehigh 
mountains, south of Bethlehem, not far from 
the ])rescnt Zinc Vforks. Some of the family 
were buried at the foot of the mountain on 
the north side, and the graves covered by a 
large heap of stones, on llic place now called 
the Ti-'tve property. The Lee's lived on the 
top of the mountain, south of Bethlehem, 
their former residence is called BiUnnl's 
place. Mrs. George Keisling and Mrs. Levi 
Fenner, of Bethlehem, are both dcscendents 
of the Lee family. 

It is said that a family named J<-'iiiti>ijn, 
owned and lived upon the property now 
known as Gehsinyer's, above Bethlehem, at 
the time of the first settlement of the place, 
and may be one of the families referred to. 
See Lewis H. Weiss' Annals of the Music of 
Bethlehem, and a note by Rufus A Grider, 
in his History of Music in Bethlehem. 

South Bethlehem has two v.-cekly news- 
papers. The WeekJj Pniijress made its fir.-t 
appearance during the week ending March 
19, 1S70, it was edited by Daniel E. Shocdier, 
and published by 0. B. Sigley & Co., it 
became a daily in April, 1871. The other 
paper is called ** The Sutith Belhlehem Con- 
servative, and its first number was issued 
sometime in 1S70. 

The difference between the mode of travel 
in the last cenlur}- and tha present, is ad- 
mirably illustrated by an old advertisement, 
which hangs framed in the office of the Eagle 
Hotel, at Bethlehem, cut from the pages of 
the J Iiilinle/jjIiMi Adrerti'scr, of April 5th, 
179S, with the insertion of which a labor cf 
love is ended. 

" PniLAnKLPHIA, Allentown, Betdlebkm 
and WiNDG \p Stages. 

" The subscribers respcotfiilly inform the 



BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. 



191 



public that they will start a line of stages 
to set out at the Wind Gap at Mr. Jacob Hel- 
ler's, on Saturday, the 18th of April, 1798, at 
one o'clock in the afternoon, and arrive at 
Bethlehem said evening. Another stage will 
start from Bethlehem at five o'clock ne.xt 
morning, at which time an extra stage will 
start from Allentown, from the house of Mr. 
Jacob Hageback, and fall in with the line at 
Mr. r>. Cooper's; then proceeding to Mr. 
Samuel Seller's, where another stage will 
set out immediately, and arrive at Mr. Ely 
Chandler's, Franklin Head, Philadelphia, 
same evening. Set out from E. Chandlcr'3 
(Franklin Head), Philadelphia, on 'Wednes- 
day morning at five o'clock, and proceed 
the same route back, and arrive at Allen- 
town and Bethlehem same evening. Anoth- 
er stage will leave J. Heller's at one o'clock 
said day, and likewise arrive at Bethlehem 
same evening ; set out from Bethlehem 
Thursday morning at five o'clock, and both 
stages take their respective routes, and ar- 
rive at Philadelphia same evening, and at 
Mr. Heller's at nine o'clock the same morn- 
ing; set out from Mr. Chandler's on Satur- 
day morning at five o'clock, and arrive at 
Allentown and Bethlehem said evening, and 
BO alternately twice a week from the Wind- 
gap to Philadelphia. 

"The fare for passengers from Mr. Hel- 



ler's (Windgap) to Bethlehem, for each pas- 
senger, seventy cents; from Bethlehem or 
Allentown to Philadelphia, three dollars. 
Way passengers, si.^ cents per mile, fourteen 
pounds of baggage allowed each passenger, 
loO cwt. the same .as a passenger, and tho 
same for returning. 

'■Parcels ta'.;en in at the Stage Office at 
Mr. Chandler's, Phihulolp'iia, at Mr. Laver- 
ings, Bethlehem, at Mr. Hageback's, Allen- 
town, and at Mr. Holler's, Windgap. The 
EiiKTlIcst parcel twelve cents; two cents per 
pound that exceeds fourteen pounds, for 
which the subsniLcrs will vouch for their 
delivery at their respective places, if proper- 
ly directed. 

" The subscribers, from the liberal encour- 
ngemeut received from the public last sea- 
son, and now by providing several sets of 
the best horses and commodious stages, so- 
ber and careful drlvcro, they fl;;tter them- 
selves that the luiblie will continue to give 
them the preference, as the line will run 
through from Bethlehem to Philadelphia in 
one d.TV. 

George Weavt.r, 
Sasicel Sellers, 
Philip Sellers, 
EsoOH Roberts, 
J.\coB Hrllep.s. 
April 5th, 1798. 



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